Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Birmingham Alabama – Blog

As your local Mountain Brook dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while Mountain Brook dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Mountain Brook 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 in the Mountain Brook area: 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 combinations 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 Mountain Brook 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 Birmingham area, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, give us a call at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry.

Our number is 205-202-8618.

Looking for a dentist in Birmingham is sometimes simply a matter of word of mouth. The most common way for people to find a dentist in a new area such as Birmingham is to ask a friend or neighbor. ‘Who is your dentist?’ is a common question. The answer is usually followed up with an explanation about whether or not your friend likes their dentist or not, and whether they would recommend their Birmingham dentist to a friend.

I am Dr. J. Paul Koch, and I am a Doctor serving the Birmingham Alabama community as a licensed Doctor. We call our practice ‘Koch Aesthetic Dentistry’, and we welcome new patients from the Mountain Brook area.

If you are new to the Mountain Brook area and are looking for a Birmingham dentist, please come by my dentist office in Birmingham, Alabama. I will be happy to spend some time with you to get to know you, and to introduce you to our professional care office staff who are passionate about your smile and your comfort.

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. J. Paul Koch, DMD

205-202-8618

What is ‘ General Dentistry ‘? Here are a couple definitions, found from around the web:

The World Health Organization defines General Dentistry as “the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth”.

According to Wikipedia :

A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Chirurgiae (BDS) or (BChD) or equivalent.

In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.

If you have a need for General Dentistry in the Birmingham area, please give our practice a call. We are Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, and our general dentistry office is located at:

2311 Highland Avenue, Suite 323, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama 35205

We practice General Dentistry in the city of Birmingham. We provide general dentistry services to the greater Mountain Brook area, which includes general dentistry services for anyone in the cities of Vestavia Hills, Crestline, Homewood or Hoover .

Give us a call at 205-202-8618 to schedule a general dentistry appointment in Birmingham, or to ask questions about general dentistry.

The Dental Spa

If you have money in your Birmingham flexible spending account you may want to schedule some cosmetic dentistry before the deadline. Remember, you lose any funds left over after the plan year ends. Why not improve your smile with tax-free dollars?

Even a small change can make a big difference in the appearance of your teeth. You might consider getting a veneer for a chipped tooth or replacing a broken crown. Maybe you want to straighten your teeth with braces or replace amalgam fillings with clear ones that blend with your natural teeth. Tooth whitening is quick and easy and benefits even the most attractive smiles.

Perhaps aesthetic dentistry is not your first priority. Maybe you have a more pressing dental need such as a cavity that is bothering you or swollen gums. Don’t let these problems get worse and possibly more expensive to treat.

Call 205-202-8618 to book a consultation at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham. We are located at 2311 Highland Avenue, Suite 323, Birmingham, AL .

Dr. J. Paul Koch is one of the most sought-after Birmingham dentists and stays at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology. A radiant smile is possible for anyone in the Hoover area, regardless of issues such as tetracycline stains, periodontal disease, or missing teeth.

If you are planning to use flex account funds for Mountain Brook dentistry, make sure you check your employer’s guidelines for eligible cosmetic or restorative dental procedures.

With a smile makeover at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, what will your ‘after’ photo look like?

Each separate restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedure performed in Birmingham can address a specific dental problem. For example, a porcelain veneer can perfect the surface of a tooth that is discolored or slightly misshapen. Dental bonding can fill a small chip in an otherwise healthy tooth.

Some Birmingham dental problems are more extensive and require a combination of procedures. Crown restoration combined with soft tissue grafts can restore a severely decayed tooth with the root exposed. A bone graft and dental implant can restore a missing tooth in an area where the jaw bone has receded. Orthodontia followed by tooth bleaching totally transforms a smile by straightening and whitening.

What is the difference between tooth bleaching and whitening? Whitening is the term for procedures which remove surface stains to restore the degree of natural lightness. Bleaching goes even further by lightening teeth beyond their natural shade. That’s right: you don’t have to resign yourself to yellow teeth even if they have been that way your whole life! The natural shade of your teeth, by the way, like your skin and hair color, is determined by genetics.

Some Birmingham smiles have been gleaming for years by regular whitening. You can maintain the whiteness of your teeth just as you maintain your fitness level. (Of course it is a lot easier to make a quick visit to your Birmingham dentist once a year for whitening touch-ups than sweating in a gym several times a week!)

We live in an age where severe dental problems can be permanently corrected. You don’t have to participate in a TV makeover show in Hollywood to access these premium cosmetic dental procedures. They are available right here in Birmingham. Dr. J. Paul Koch has the same advanced training and extensive experience as the dentists who keep the smiles of famous actors and musicians camera-ready.

Schedule a consultation at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry to discover the perfect combination of procedures to achieve your ultimate smile. Our phone number is 205-202-8618.

Hi, I’m Doctor Dr. J. Paul Koch, DMD. Most every day, I can be found at my Mountain Brook area dental office treating dental patients with tooth and gum problems or helping patients prevent them. There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health.

1) Birmingham diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 205-202-8618.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Alabama folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

I help many Birmingham dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional dental care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

http://www.KochAesthetics.com