At 19th Street Dental, we know image is everything. May happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our office. Has your child visited Dr. Trushar Patel or Dr. Tammy Zeineddin in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!

See you soon!

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Trushar Patel or Dr. Tammy Zeineddin. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to 19th Street Dental. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Trushar Patel or Dr. Tammy Zeineddin says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at 19th Street Dental, please give us a call today.

We can't believe February is almost here! For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Patel and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Patel and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited 19th Street Dental the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where our team at 19th Street Dental can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Drs. Trushar Patel and Tammy Zeineddin are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment.

Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at 19th Street Dental getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up! A consultation at 19th Street Dental can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

A whiter smile is one just one dentist visit away! ZOOM! Smile Whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom! treatment we will send you home with an at-home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom! Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Find out more about Zoom! Smile Whitening at our web site; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile contact 19th Street Dental for an evaluation!

Whether you have visited 19th Street Dental for a week or for years, we’d love to hear your feedback about your experience! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here.

Thank you!

Whether you just started visiting 19th Street Dental and have a follow-up question for Dr. Trushar Patel, Dr. Tammy Zeineddin or our team, or if you’d simply like to drop us a quick line, we’d love to hear from you! We love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page.

Please visit 19th Street Dental on the following networks:

Facebook: facebook.com/19thStreetDental
YouTube: youtube.com/DrTrusharPatel
Twitter: twitter.com/imakesmiles
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/19thstreetdental

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients at 19th Street Dental, Drs. Trushar Patel and Tammy Zeineddin screen our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Ask Drs. Patel or Zeineddin about a screening at your next appointment at our convenient Atlanta dental office!

At 19th Street Dental, we know your dental health is closely connected to your overall health. We also know the mouth can oftentimes be the first place to indicate signs of health issues in the body. Recently, we found a helpful article that outlined seven warning signs that indicate it might be time to check in with Drs. Trushar Patel and Tammy Zeineddin.

Flat, worn teeth plus headache (sign of stress)

Grind, grind, grind …. grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you’re probably familiar with this unpleasant sound. Emotional or psychological stress can definitely contribute to teeth grinding. In addition, headaches, which are caused by spasms in the muscles, can radiate from the mouth and head down to the neck and upper back. Night guards, which we proudly provide at our Atlanta dental office, may relieve the symptoms, as well as protect your teeth.

Cracking, crumbling teeth (sign of Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

As we age we may notice that the enamel on our teeth starts to chip at the edges of our front teeth or form hollowed out “wells” on the surface of our molars. These symptoms may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid—and occasionally, bile—flows back into your food pipe. Other signs and symptoms of GERD include acid reflux, dry mouth and heartburn.

Sores that won’t go away (sign of oral cancer)

More than 21,000 men and 9,000 women are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those most affected include the elderly (most are over the age of 60) and smokers. The survival rate for oral cancer is 35 percent. When an open sore in the mouth doesn’t go away within a week or two, or when you experience unexplained bleeding or numbness, it’s always a good idea to visit 19th Street Dental so that we may rule out oral cancer. A lot of sores and ulcers may lurk underneath your tongue, where they are difficult to find.

Gums growing over teeth (sign of medication problems)

If you notice your gum growing over your tooth, and you’re taking a prescribed or other medication, please give us a call as soon as possible. Certain medications may cause the gums to overgrow; the dosage will need to be adjusted, but it’s important we take a look.

Dry mouth (sign of Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes)

Many things are known to cause dry mouth, but a lack of sufficient saliva is also an early warning of Sjogren’s syndrome, as well as diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 17 million Americans suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which is a metabolic disease caused by high blood sugar. Other signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, tingling in the hands or feet, frequent urination, blurred vision and weight loss.

Sjogren’s syndrome, which affects approximately anywhere between 1-to-4 million Americans, causes white blood cells of the body attack—for unknown reasons—their moisture-producing glands. Symptoms also include dry eyes, as well as the mouth, but the rest of the body is affected by the disorder.

White webbing inside cheeks (sign of Lichen planus)

Lichen planus, whose cause is unknown, is an inflammatory skin disease that usually affects the skin, mouth, or both, according to the Mayo Clinic. On the skin it manifests with small purplish bumps while in the mouth it takes the appearance of a whitish, lacy pattern on the insides of the cheeks. The disease can’t be passed from one person to another. Lichen planus may require relatively simple at-home care or no treatment. When symptoms are severe, such as pain or significant itching, please give us a call.

Crusting dentures (sign of pneumonia)

Older folks are known to inhale debris around the teeth and dentures, and inadvertently breathe in other materials into the lungs and airway, causing dangerous (even fatal) inflammation. Be sure to remove and wash dentures on a regular basis.

In honor of Baby Safety Month, we would like to encourage all of our patients and their families to become educated on the importance of childproofing your home. We would like to remind all of our patients to be mindful of some of the common hazards that may be in your home.

Children are vulnerable, and it is important that you take the necessary precautions in your kitchen, bathroom, nursery, and around the home to minimize the risk to your baby. For example, never leave poisons or toxic materials under the sink where they can be easily reached by a child. In the bathroom, remember to remove soaps, razors, and shampoos from the edge of the tub and close the toilet lid. Children are naturally curious, so it is necessary that you cover all electrical outlets, keep all trash containers locked, and ensure that hanging cords from phones, lamps, and appliances are kept out of reach.

We hope that these baby safety tips help! For more tips, visit the Royal Baby Safety website.

At 19th Street Dental, we know bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you're out on a date or at an important social function! However, we want you to know bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as Dr. Trushar Patel calls it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell.

Here are three ways you can prevent bad breath, courtesy of Dr. Andrew Weil:

1. Brush your tongue.

2. Keep your mouth hydrated.

3. Freshen your mouth.

Also, here are some common myths about halitosis:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

For more information on halitosis, we encourage you to give us a call at 404-567-8900!

About a month ago, we asked you, our loyal patients, what you liked most about Atlanta dentist Dr. Trushar Patel and 19th Street Dental. Well, we received a ton of responses and thought we'd share a few with you today! We hope you have a fantastic Fourth of July weekend, and we'll see you soon! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"Great business model - best service I've ever received from a medical provider - every employee seems to truly enjoy coming to work and the patients they're working with. You should teach classes!" ~ Jennifer H.

"The doctor was very personable and detail oriented. He spent time with me and treated me as an individual. The staff was very professional and very efficient." ~ Amy K.

"Very friendly, welcoming, professional." ~ Michael T.

"You and your staff are doing an excellent job. I'm very satisfied." ~ Lakita N.

"I would like to acknowledge the staff from the front reception all the way to the dentist himself. The service your office provides is very courteous and professional. I love this office!" ~ Antonio C.

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign treatment at 19th street Dental manages to straighten teeth without having you go through traditional metallic braces?

The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient Atlantic Station office. Dr. Trushar Patel is a certified Invisalign provider in Atlanta, offering Invisalign for teens and adults. If you've been wanting to straighten your teeth but are unsure about going through traditional orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to give us a call at (404) 567-8900 to learn if Invisalign is the right option for you at 19th street Dental!

At 19th street Dental, we are well-aware that thousands of parents tend to sign up for Facebook accounts and ‘friend’ their children, often as a way to keep an eye on their online activities. But many parents in this digital age are still lost when it comes to monitoring their kids online, often stepping over boundaries. Late last year, parenting specialist Vicki Courtney wrote a helpful post on the things parents should and shouldn’t do while surfing through their kids’ Facebook profiles. We came across her article, “Top Ten Facebook No-Nos for Parents” recently and thought you might benefit from reading Vicki’s interesting piece.

The article is designed specifically for those moms and dads who aren’t sure whether they’ve crossed the line in monitoring their kids’ presence online. Dr. Patel and our team hope you find this article informational. Please let us know what you think!

Speaking of Facebook, have you stopped by the 19th Street Dental page recently? If not, stop by and 'Like' our page!

What makes for a beautiful smile? Dr. Trushar Patel will tell you regular dental visits, brushing and flossing, not smoking, minimizing your intake of soda and coffee, among other factors, will maximize your chances of achieving great oral health.

Our friends at TotalBeauty in 2009 released their list of the “14 Worst-Teeth Cities,” and our team at 19th Street Dental is sad to report Atlanta was chosen among the fourteen. Here’s an excerpt from the article: “Atlanta has a few factors working against it. One, as the home of the Coke Corporation, it's no surprise that they rank no. 4 in cola consumption. That plus its rank of no. 9 in most teeth lost and no. 47 in dentists per capita means less than perfect smiles. Its one saving grace? Almost 95 percent of residents receive fluoridated water, which can help strengthen teeth."

Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting 19th Street Dental on a regular basis? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Trushar Patel knows that many children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at 19th street Dental found a great article on helping kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Dr. Patel and our team at 19th street Dental excel at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our young patients look forward to their next visit!

Has your child visited us in the last six months? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

People with big smiles may live than those who don’t, according to a new study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We’ve known for a long time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers there used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950.

The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, or BMI, career length and college attendance.
The researchers found that players who weren't smiling died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you tried perfecting your smile by visiting Dr. Patel lately? If not, give our team at 19th Street Dental a call at 404-963-8235.

If it's March, it can only mean one thing: National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Trushar Patel and thousands of dentists and hygienists around the nation celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, Dr. Patel and our team at 19th Street Dental want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in Atlanta and surrounding communities.

• Make each and every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Don't give in: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call! Dr. Patel and team would love to hear from you!

Each week, Dr. Patel and team discuss topics pertinent to dental care. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the field of dentistry? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

At 19th Street Dental we make every effort to provide you with the best dental treatment. For us that means achieving consistently great results. There are many things that help Dr. Trushar Patel do that. Some of them are:

1. Using the most up to date and proven dental technologies available
2. Spending time and resources on continuing education to stay current and relevant
3. Training our entire team on new techniques
4. Educating our patients about the pursuit of excellence

If you or a family member has been thinking about dental treatment, please give 19th Street Dental a call at (404) 963-8235. 19th Street Dental prides itself as Atlantic Station’s exclusive Dental Center. Atlantic Station, the city within a city, is an environmentally friendly live-work-play village situated at the crossroads of I-75 and I-85. We look forward to seeing you.

Did you know February is Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Patel. Cardiovascular disease remains American's No.1 killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office regularly can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to 19th Street Dental. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Patel says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at 19th Street Dental, please give us a call today.

Happy Friday, 19th Street Dental patients! Did you know Dr. Patel, in addition to having a Facebook fan page, has a Twitter account? That's right, news about specials at our office, personal updates from Dr. Patel and so much more! Head over to our fan page and become a "fan," or feel free to follow Dr. Patel on Twitter (@IMakeSmiles).

We're only days away from Valentine's Day, and people are getting caught up in the excitement and anticipation. This year, 19th Street Dental is offering you an opportunity to make the most of Valentine’s Day:

Zoom! 1 Hour Whitening is now $399 (originally $550!)

Nite White Take Home Whitening is now $199! (originally $350!)

Give us a call to make your appointment today! Dr. Patel and our team look forward to seeing you!

Like millions of Americans this time of year, Dr. Trushar Patel and the staff at 19th Street Dental is on a mission to lose weight. Did you know a pound of weight is about 3,500 calories? That's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To help us get started, we thought we'd ask you, our loyal patients: what strategy you use to lose weight? Do you cut back on the fries and soda (and the calories)? Do you jog? Do you swim?

Please share your tips and strategies with us, and who knows, maybe we'll post your answers on our social networks! As always, please feel free to give us a call!

Dr. Patel recently read an article in People Magazine about Brooke Mueller (actor Charlie Sheen's wife) and her struggle with pneumonia. Her mother said part of the reason for her illness was that Brooke "waited too long to get her impacted wisdom tooth removed and the infection has spread all over. It is in her bloodstream."

This is where Dr. Patel and our team would remind you about the dangers of not removing wisdom teeth, which first start appearing between the ages of 16 and 25. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or AAOMS, has a very helpful page on wisdom teeth.

Also, did you know Dr. Patel specializes in dental implants? Dental implants, which are an excellent solution to missing individual teeth, are intended only for candidates with sufficient bone and healthy gums. For more information on dental implants, please visit 19th Street Dental's web site.

Enjoy the rest of your week!