Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Birmingham Alabama – Blog

Here at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every Alabama drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. J. Paul Koch recommends a checkup and thorough cleaning every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations (like crowns or dental implants) down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we see damaged teeth and dental work as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel.

Attention Alabama athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Teeth grinding is also a common dental threat. Be careful not to grind teeth, this can not only wear away enamel but also pave ways for cavities to get in. If you grind your teeth while you are sleeping, make an appointment to be fitted for a night guard. Your enamel will thank you.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in Alabama.

We hope you find these Koch Aesthetic Dentistry tips helpful. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our Alabama dental spa today at 205-202-8618!

J. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
205-202-8618
http://www.KochAesthetics.com

Hello Birmingham cosmetic dental friends. Today’s topic is ‘The Dangers Of Smokeless Tobacco’.

Cigarette sales at most Birmingham stores have decreased in the past decade, but some Birmingham tobacco consumers have switched to smokeless products.

There is a common misconception in the Birmingham area (especially among teens) that smokeless tobacco is harmless. This is absolutely not true. Regardless of the specific type: spit tobacco, snuff, chew, or pinch, this form of tobacco is as deadly as conventional cigarettes.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we encounter serious consequences of smokeless tobacco use because many occur in the mouth. Oral cancer, mouth lesions, gum disease and tooth decay are the most common dental problems caused by smokeless tobacco in this state.

Keeping a pinch between your cheek and gum all day is worse than keeping an all-day sucker. The tobacco contains almost as much sugar as the candy but delivers harmful chemicals as an added bonus. The dangers are two-fold: the tobacco erodes the teeth and also causes the gums to pull away from teeth. This can lead to the need for costly restorative dentistry procedures such as dental implants or laser dentistry.

Precancerous Mouth Lesion Screening in Birmingham: Mouth Lesions are painful sores that could eventually become cancer. If smokeless tobacco use is stopped, the lesions often disappear within a year for Birmingham dental patients.

Oral Cancer in Birmingham: Smokeless tobacco use in Birmingham increases the risk for several types of life-threatening cancers including those of the mouth, gums, lips, tongue, and throat.

Oral cancers can be as deadly as lung cancer and usually require surgery. If the sedation dentistry patient is fortunate and the cancer is successfully removed with surgery, the collateral damage to the face, neck, or jaw is not pretty.

These are the main dental risks of smokeless tobacco. I should also mention two other biggies: addiction and heart disease, though those are topics for another day.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham, we want to help you keep your mouth as healthy as possible. To schedule an appointment, call 205-202-8618.

If want to quit using smokeless tobacco products, we recommend that you consult Dr. Koch at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, your Birmingham primary care doctor, or your Birmingham pharmacist.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry 
2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
http://www.KochAesthetics.com

Attention Birmingham dental patients: brushing twice daily may help lower your risk of heart disease. Birmingham scientists, dentists, and cardiologists have known for many years that there is a link between inflammation in the mouth (gum disease) and heart problems, However, a recent study analyzed oral health habits and heart disease risk. Science Daily reported on the study which was published in the British Medical Journal.

I quote from the Science Daily article:

“The authors, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analyzed data from over 11,000 adults who took part in a Scottish Health Survey. The research team analyzed data about lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, and oral health routines.”

“Once the data was adjusted for established cardio risk factors, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.”

I am cosmetic dentist Dr. J. Paul Koch DMD of Koch Aesthetic Dentistry. The Scottish survey is one of many that confirms the link between oral health and overall health. Simply put: you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.

It doesn’t matter if you are a lean Birmingham distance runner with a pulse of fifteen beats a minute and a blood pressure of 100 over 60. It doesn’t matter if you are a vegan who has eaten a nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet for the past five years. If you have inflamed gums and tooth decay, you are at risk for problems in other areas of the body.

The phone number for Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is 205-202-8618. If you have concerns about your oral health, I invite you to schedule an examination today.

Perhaps your teeth and gums are healthy but you wish your smile was more attractive. We can help you there also with a smile redesign. Porcelain veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays, and orthodontia are all available to solve any cosmetic problems you wish to correct. We also offer sedation dentistry for those Birmingham patients who may experience dental anxiety.

My team and I are passionate about your comfort and your professional care. We will help keep your smile beautiful for life.

Call us at 205-202-8618 to learn more about the services we offer at our dental spa.

Your Birmingham dentist knows that it’s too much to ask that you never indulge in sugary treats, but they will tell you that eating sweets at certain times is better for your teeth than others. For instance, when you eat a full meal, your saliva production increases. This helps to rinse food particles from your mouth as well as neutralize the acids that cause plaque.

This is great news for dessert lovers in the Birmingham area because it means that sweets consumed after meals have a lower risk to your teeth because your mouth is already in optimum cleansing mode.

Birmingham dentists agree that sweets after meals are preferable to sweets eaten between meals as snacks.

Also remember that what sweets you eat can be as important as when you eat them. Birmingham dentists are constantly reminding their dental patients that sticky candies stay on your teeth for a long time, even when your saliva is flowing. And hard candies that you suck for an extended time give bacteria a perfect environment to create enamel-weakening acids.

My name is Dr. J. Paul Koch and I am a cosmetic dentist in Birmingham. My practice is Koch Aesthetic Dentistry located at 2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323, Birmingham, AL.

Our professional and passionate staff  is here to help you have the healthiest and most beautiful smile possible. We care about your smile, as well as your comfort. Our practice provides general and cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening, veneers, invisible braces, and dental implants. We also offer sedation dentistry for patients who usually experience dental anxiety.

We are currently accepting new patients. Call today to book an appointment!

Dr. J. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
205-202-8618
http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm

For those of you in the Birmingham area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is here for you.

Doctor J. Paul Koch has been treating this common problem since 2000.

The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.

Here in our Birmingham cosmetic dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.

J. Paul Koch usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most Birmingham Wal-Mart and Sav-On stores carry it. However, some Birmingham patients may need in-office procedures such as laser dentistry available at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry.

Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Birmingham and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Koch can determine which professional teeth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.

Call our Birmingham cosmetic dental office today to get relief from your sensitive teeth.

Dr. J. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham Alabama 35205
205-202-8618
http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm

When people in the Birmingham area think of diet and oral health, they probably think about the damage sweet drinks can cause to teeth. While it’s true that these sugars cause increased acidity in the mouth and lead to tooth decay, soda and sugary-fruit drinks are only part of the issue.

The typical American diet tends to be high in calories and low in nutrition, even here in Birmingham.

If your body is lacking in certain nutrients, the tissues in the mouth may have trouble resisting infection. These infections can lead to gum disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently unveiled the MyPlate graphic to illustrate a healthy diet. Half of our meals should be composed of fruits and vegetables and the rest should be equally divided between lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

While this is an excellent resource, dietary needs change throughout life, so it’s a good idea to call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618 and schedule a check-up with Dr. J. Paul Koch to see if your diet is affecting your teeth.

When you eat a balanced diet and feel your best, you’ll want to look your best, so be sure to ask our passionate about your smile, your comfort and your professional care staff about the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures such as complete smile makeovers and same day restorations.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, our menu of services includes porcelain crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, dental implants, tooth colored fillings, sealants, teeth whitening, and clear braces. Schedule an appointment with our dental spa today!

Dr. J. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham Alabama
205-202-8618
http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm

I’m J. Paul Koch DMD of Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham. My cosmetic dentistry clients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular Birmingham dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my Birmingham diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If my cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, I recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Birmingham family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and oral dentistry deep cleanings at your Birmingham dentistry clinic.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone Birmingham dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 205-202-8618 to book an appointment. Our passionate about your smile, your comfort and your professional care is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.  We also offer many cosmetic dentistry services such as dental veneers and Invisalign.

Most Birmingham folks don’t often think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. Our teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need them. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with chemical processes that occur continually.

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical Birmingham diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. Birmingham teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular in Birmingham cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with J. Paul Koch at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, call 205-202-8618 today.

We are a full-service dental office with hundreds of satisfied clients in Birmingham, Vestavia Hills and Homewood.  We are located at 2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323 in Birmingham. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Koch Aesthetic Dentistry blog article and look forward to your visit.  We also offer implant dentistry and sedation dentistry.

We advise our Birmingham dental clients at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry to watch their sugar intake to prevent cavities and other health problems.

If you are trying to unsweeten your diet, you are probably skipping the usual suspects: candy, soda, and baked treats. But not all sugar is as obvious as the frosting on a piece of chocolate cake or the powdery stuff in pixie stix.

Here are some foods found in Birmingham grocery stores and Vestavia Hills, Crestline school cafeterias with a surprisingly high sugar content:

• Ketchup
• Low Fat versions of snack foods (Manufacturers often replace fat with sugar.)
• Salad Dressing
• Breads, buns, rolls
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Protein Bars
• Granola
• Canned soup
• Peanut Butter
• Yogurt
• Fast food meals (Hamburgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads are often loaded with sugar, not to mention the dessert items.)
• Antacids
• Cough drops
• Fruit smoothies (Even a small serving has a whopping amount of sugar.)

Reading the fine print on labels is a must. The following terms are all types of sugar:

raw sugar, cane sugar, glucose, lactose, galactose, fructose, dextrose, honey, sorghum, molasses, cane sugar, confectioner’s sugar, crystallized cane juice, invert sugar, maltodextrin (or dextrin), maple syrup, concentrated fruit juices, evaporated cane juice (what kind of cane do you think we are talking about?)

Do the math: when shopping at Birmingham markets or health food stores, carefully decipher food labels before you buy. Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. Add up all the grams of every type of sugar listed and divide by four to truly understand how much sugar an item contains.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we advocate and practice preventative care for lifelong dental health. For more information on how your diet affects your dental health, contact us at 205-202-8618. We also offer sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry services such as porcelain veneers.

We are located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham.

If you are pregnant, your oral health may be the last thing on your mind. However, many Birmingham women experience an increase in dental problems during pregnancy. This article contains important information for expectant Birmingham mothers and those planning to become pregnant.

Dr. J. Paul Koch recommends having a thorough dental cleaning early in your pregnancy. Lying in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable during the last trimester. A professional cleaning performed by one of the skilled dental hygienists at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, along with diligent brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum problems that are often triggered by hormonal changes. The American Dental Association has found a positive correlation between periodontal disease and preterm deliveries and low birth weight.

If you are currently pregnant and have sore, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment today by calling 205-202-8618. Once the baby is here, it will probably be harder for you to make time for a dental visit.

If you receive dental treatment at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry during your pregnancy, be sure to inform Dr. J. Paul Koch that you are expecting. This will affect decisions about X-rays, pain relievers, antibiotics, and sedation dentistry.

Hormonal changes cause an increase in plague production which can lead to decay. If you are eating many small meals during the day, take care to brush after eating. If you avoid sweet snacks, your teeth will be less likely to develop cavities.

Remember, your oral care, nutrition and lifestyle affect your baby. It is essential that you eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods. A poor diet can harm your baby’s tooth and bone development. Be sure to get enough calcium, iron, vitamins A, D and C, protein, and phosphorus. Your Birmingham Ob/Gyn can give you specific recommendations for your age, height, weight and medical conditions.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we take special care of our clients who are expecting. We also offer cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening.