A smile is such a simple gesture, yet it holds so much power. It is innately human - a universal way to convey happiness, greet one another and signal that we're nice people. Smiles communicate how we're feeling and are great for breaking the ice or awkward moments. A good-natured smile moves mountains, but if you're like the average person, it may not be perfect. And that's okay. But is it healthy?
Studies from the CDC show that 1 in 4 U.S. adults from 20 to 64 have cavities. Perhaps even more surprising is that approximately 34 million school hours are lost every year due to emergency dental care. For children, missing time could mean the difference between moving forward and being held back.
If you're one of the many people who feel ashamed about their teeth, need preventative oral care, or suffer serious issues like tooth decay, it's time to protect your teeth and gums. Luckily, Merchants Walk Dental is here to serve you with the highest quality dental work in East Cobb, from preventative care to cosmetic dentistry.
At Merchants Walk Dental, your healthy teeth and gums are our passion. Our dentists and hygienists are committed to providing you with the best dental care possible in a comfortable, stress-free setting. Since opening in 2017, we have become the premier dentist in Powder Springs, GA, offering many dental services such as:
As experts, we know how important oral hygiene is for your health. We feel that it's important to go the extra mile to speak with our patients about the best practices involved with brushing, flossing, and healthy gums. We know what an impact a beautiful smile can make, which is why we are so dedicated to providing our patients with cleaner, straighter teeth than ever before.
Having served Georgia and East Cobb for years, we understand that no two patients will ever have the same needs. That's why we provide personalized services like cleanings and root canals tailored to each patient's unique needs. We also know that money doesn't grow on trees, so we accept most major dental insurance plans to ensure you can keep your teeth clean and healthy all year long.
If you're searching for an expert team of friendly dentists and hygienists, look no further than Merchants Walk Dental. We pride ourselves on the best dental care coupled with warm, engaging customer service. You can rest easy knowing you're in capable, welcoming hands whether it's your first or fortieth visit to our office.
Here at Merchants Walk Dental, we understand that getting your teeth cleaned isn't something everyone looks forward to. However, getting regular teeth cleanings performed by a trustworthy dentist is the best way to maintain a healthy smile and avoid serious oral hygiene issues. And while it's easy to avoid the dentist, doing so for too long can be bad for your overall health.
Studies have linked poor oral hygiene to serious problems like cancer, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and strokes. If you're flossing and brushing at home twice a day, that's great. Doing so is the best way to get a leg up on critical oral hygiene problems. However, getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist helps ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, healthy, and protected.
It's a question we get all the time - what is periodontal treatment? This treatment focuses on your gums and preventing the common diseases that attack them. When left unchecked, plaque accumulates and hardens, forming hard-to-remove tartar. This tartar irritates your gums and will eventually lead to a litany of problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, and more.
During your teeth cleaning session at Merchants Walk Dental, we'll examine your gums closely to ensure they're healthy and functional.
Each of our teeth cleaning appointments has comprehensive check-ups, including:
The only surefire way to prevent tartar buildup and, by proxy, gum disease is by brushing and flossing diligently at home. If you have been slacking on regular brushing and have not visited a dentist recently, your gums could be suffering. If you have any of the following signs of gum disease, contact Merchants Walk Dental to schedule a dental exam in Powder Springs, GA:
If you have had a cavity filled before, you're not alone. Tooth decay affects more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 - a stunning statistic that, in many cases, is entirely preventable. At Merchants Walk Dental, we use composite resin fillings to keep our patient's teeth healthy and functional. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings are more discreet, match the color of your teeth, and are free of mercury.
While fillings can have a few uses, our doctors typically use fillings to “fill†a part of your tooth that is decaying. This hole of decay is called a cavity. Sometimes, fillings are also used to fix broken, cracked, or worn-down teeth from grinding and nail-biting. Fillings are a great way to restore decaying teeth to their normal shape and function while preventing sensitivity and inhibiting further decay.
During your dental exam at our office in East Cobb, your dental hygienist will check for signs of cavities and tooth decay to ensure your oral hygiene remains in peak condition.
Abscesses- Without professional dental treatment, infected teeth lead to dental abscesses, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Nerve Pain- When your tooth is cracked and left without treatment, it can make its way to your nerve, resulting in extreme pain and damage.
Substantial Decay- If you leave an infection to fester without having a root canal, the infection can spread to other teeth in your mouth. If you don't address the initial signs of decay, you'll have to undergo treatment for multiple teeth.
Tooth Loss- Extensive decay and trauma often cause damage to your tooth's pulp. Our root canal treatments in Powder Springs remove this infected pulp. However, if you choose to ignore the problem, the infected pulp will rot your entire tooth, causing you to lose it forever.
One mention of the word root canal can send shivers up the spine for many people. Root canals get a bad rap, but the treatment has come a long way over the last decade.
When tooth decay and infection are left to fester, it can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. Often, root canals in cityname, GA, are the best choice for patients with extensively diseased teeth. The goal of a root canal is to save and repair teeth by removing the infection from the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
Signs of tooth decay that may require a root canal include:
When a substantial cavity threatens a person's tooth and fillings aren't working, many dentists will use crowns to fix the problem. A crown is an aesthetic cap or a tooth-shaped covering placed over another tooth or implant for stability. Typically, crowns improve appearance and strength of a patient's teeth.
Crowns are also used to restore the size and shape of damaged or chipped teeth. When used for this purpose, dental crowns are usually bonded to the tooth using dental-grade cement.
During your dental exam and cleaning, your hygienist will keep a sharp eye out for signs of tooth decay, which may require a crown. Benefits of dental crows from Merchants Walk Dental include:
Restorative dental treatments can be complicated, but dental crowns are straightforward and minimally invasive. During the process, your tooth's enamel is cleaned, and your damaged tissue is removed. Once that process is complete, we'll cast a custom crown for your tooth. While the crown is created, Dr. John Bishara or Dr. Milli Patel will provide you with a temporary crown for normal functionality.
Damaged enamel or structural damage can cause pain and sensitivity. Having a dental crown installed will help alleviate a good amount of your pain.
Our dental crowns are made with high-quality, long-lasting materials. With proper care and regular check-ups, they can withstand years of chewing, biting, and grinding.
When you lose one or more teeth, whether due to decay or another factor, it's important to fill the space where the tooth is missing. That's where dental bridges come in. Bridges are essentially fake permanent teeth used to fill holes caused by missing teeth. The false tooth is fused between two dental crowns giving it the bridge concept. Dental bridges are then typically anchored to healthy teeth using resin and cement.
The health of your teeth, their position, and the state of the surrounding bone will help our team determine if bridges are right for you. If not, dentures in Powder Springs, GA, might be a better option. Dentures come in two forms: partial and complete. Dentures are best for patients who have missing teeth but aren't able to use bridges. Complete dentures all your missing teeth, while partial dentures replace one or two teeth.
Getting cosmetic dentures can be a life-changing experience. It often requires physical and emotional preparation. At Merchants Walk Dental, our team will take as much time needed to consult with and prepare you for your denture procedure.
Whether you need dental bridges or cosmetic dentures, we're here to help make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Dental implants are needed when you have missing teeth, but you cannot or will not get crowns, bridges, or dentures. Failing to replace a lost tooth will cause a bevy of problems as time goes on. For many patients, dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, you can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. A dental implant serves as a permanent artificial root anchored into the jawbone.
When our team puts a dental implant in place, your jawbone grafts itself to the titanium post making it as strong as your original root and tooth. The result is a natural, beautiful, fully-functional set of teeth that lasts for years.
Establishing healthy dental habits early in life is key for long-term oral health and confidence. The best way to learn those habits is at home and in a dentist's office.
At Merchants Walk Dental, our goal is to foster long-lasting relationship with the families in our community who trust us to care for their children's dental health.
When you choose Merchants Walk Dental as your child's dentist, you can rest easy knowing we treat your loved one just like ours. Our professional hygienists and experienced doctors are trained and certified to give your kids a comfortable dental experience. We like to mix fun with education, putting your child at ease while helping them understand the importance of proper dental care.
Common habits like teeth grinding and thumb sucking can have profound effects later in life. Our doctors are keenly aware of these habits, and work hard to help you and your child develop creative solutions to halt that behavior.
Our pediatric dental services improve the health of your child's teeth and gums with:
Having served the East Cobb and Powder Springs for years, we know your dental needs are unique and different from your neighbor. That's why we offer a variety of dental services to address each patient's special circumstances, from standard cleanings to complex root canals. By using the latest innovations and techniques in dentistry, we can better serve each client on an individualized level, leading to better comprehensive dental care.
We're taking new patients and accept most major forms of dental insurance to keep your teeth healthy and clean without breaking the bank. Contact our office today to schedule your dental exam and learn more about our history!
770-691-5051
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — After a freak accident left a Powder Springs child with burns all over his little body, his family is sharing promising news about his recovery.Little Amahd is now off se...
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — After a freak accident left a Powder Springs child with burns all over his little body, his family is sharing promising news about his recovery.
Little Amahd is now off sedation, according to the family. He's not out of the woods yet, his mother said, adding the next few days are critical to his recovery process.
The 17-month-old, affectionately known as Bubby, was hospitalized after slipping through a baby gate and into the kitchen last month. Nanny camera video shows the child pouring Vicks VapoRub into a lit candle and the flame exploding, leaving burns on more than 40% of Bubby's body.
"He was on fire here, and I saw a little ball of light, that's how it was, you couldn't even make out that it was a person, on camera, it just looked like a circle of light running down the hallway," his mom Rochenda Golightly previously said.
Amahd's father rushed him to the hospital where he was taken by helicopter to the pediatric burn unit in Augusta. Though he's made slight gains in his recovery, the family expects him to be in the hospital for the next three months.
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Golightly said Bubby's absence hangs over her home. She says her fun and vibrant child loves to watch the Christmas lights from his high chair. They have his stocking hung on the mantle - and his mom said it's not coming down any time soon.
"We are going to leave all of this up until he comes home," she said.
The family created a fundraiser to help them get through the travel to be with him while keeping their small business open. Those who would like to send Bubby a card can address it to the pediatric burn unit, the information is below.
Pediatric Burn Unit: Amahd Black3651 Wheeler RdAugusta, GA 30909.
It’s 6 a.m. on a Saturday and families are already lined up, waiting in their cars for the box of food that will help get them through the week.Some pajama-clad children are still asleep in their parents’ back seats. Other people have their dogs to keep them company as they wait more than two hours for the food distribution to begin.Credit: Steve SchaeferIt doesn’t matter who they are or where they come from. If they’re hungry, Laurie Wong and her team of volunteers at ...
It’s 6 a.m. on a Saturday and families are already lined up, waiting in their cars for the box of food that will help get them through the week.
Some pajama-clad children are still asleep in their parents’ back seats. Other people have their dogs to keep them company as they wait more than two hours for the food distribution to begin.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
It doesn’t matter who they are or where they come from. If they’re hungry, Laurie Wong and her team of volunteers at Reflections of Trinity are there to help.
In Powder Springs, Wong’s relatively small nonprofit packs a mighty punch. Between their weekend food distribution, meal deliveries to senior communities and outreach programs for Title I students, the nonprofit helps feed more than 1,200 families a week.
Wong started Reflections of Trinity in 1999 to help families in crisis — women fleeing domestic violence or parents who were out of work. Fast forward 23 years and a growing number of metro Atlanta families face food insecurity amid rising inflation and housing costs.
Each Saturday, Wong and her volunteers show up early to pack boxes with fresh produce, bread, meat, cheese, bottled water, snacks and dry goods. There’s kibble and dog treats for the loyal companions who come with their owners and baby formula for parents with young children.
“I know that we are called to this,” Wong said, noting some food pantries are only open during the week. “We serve the working poor, and most of them can’t get to a food pantry on Tuesday at 2 p.m.”
ExploreHow to help
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Prior to the pandemic, Wong said Reflections of Trinity distributed food to about 500 families a week. In the spring of 2020, that figure more than doubled and the demand hasn’t slowed.
“Even though business owners in the United States have endeavored to pay people more, prices have gone up faster than the wages have,” she said.
So each Saturday, Wong turns her parking lot into what she calls a “three-lane highway” as volunteers load up one box of food at a time. Families are instructed to wait their turn in a church parking lot about a quarter-mile away so they don’t back up traffic along Austell Powder Springs Road.
Volunteer Cindy Neal has come just about every Saturday for almost 11 years. Carrying her walkie-talkie, the jovial 57-year-old greets each person who pulls into the parking lot, greeting many by name.
“I don’t even go to church any more. This is my church. This is my motivation. It’s the highlight of my week,” Neal said. “They need it. There’s people who would never come to a pantry who are coming now because of the price of food.”
Most clients come from Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. But at last count, the nonprofit helped feed people from 32 counties across North Georgia.
“It doesn’t matter to us,” Wong said, as she drove her pickup truck from the warehouse to the hundreds of people lined up outside the nearby church. “If you’re in need, we’re here to serve you.”
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Among the volunteers was Rachel Barahona, a dental assistant who helped pack boxes before the distribution began at 8:30 a.m.
“The first time I came, I was shocked to see how many families showed up,” Barahona said. “That just made me realize there are lot of people out here who could use the help.”
Also volunteering were Alexander Shannon and several young men from nearby Tapp Middle School, where he teaches sixth grade science.
“We’re here for the investment in people,” said Shannon, who has encouraged students to help out at the weekly event for more than a decade. “There are people from this neighborhood — people from this community — who are food insecure and some students didn’t realize it. So week after week, we’ve come back because of that.”
In recent years, Reflections of Trinity has started relying more on grants, but the nonprofit also runs a thrift store and sells donated clothes on eBay to help sustain itself. Walmart, Sam’s Club and Whole Foods are among its largest contributors, Wong said.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
The nonprofit partners with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, allowing volunteers to collect perishable items from grocery stores in the network. Grants and donations also help keep things running smoothly from week to week.
“They’re just an amazing organization,” Shari Martin, president and CEO of the Cobb Community Foundation, said of Reflections of Trinity. Her organization helps connect nonprofits with donors.
“They probably distribute more food than just about anyone in Cobb County,” Martin said. “When people come through their line they make every effort to remember their names and ask how they are. They want to show love. They want to show people that someone cares about them.”
Credit: Steve Schaefer
That generosity isn’t lost on Leigha Woodard, who hasn’t been able to work much since breaking her foot last year. She was one of 812 people who picked up food on a recent Saturday.
“It helps a lot,” said Woodard, who lives in Austell and has come to Reflections of Trinity the past three months. The volunteers even sent her off with a bag of treats for her dog, Bo, who sat in Woodard’s lap as she waited in the long line.
“It would be a whole lot tougher if we couldn’t come here,” she said.
Goodr opens its fifth free grocery store at Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs Wednesday.POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — In Georgia, a staggering 1.1 million people are facing hunger right now. What's even more astounding -- more than 360,000 of those are children, according to ...
Goodr opens its fifth free grocery store at Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs Wednesday.
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — In Georgia, a staggering 1.1 million people are facing hunger right now. What's even more astounding -- more than 360,000 of those are children, according to Feeding America.
Hunger relief company Goodr is working to change that by giving hundreds of Cobb County students and their families access to free groceries.
The company opened its fifth store today at Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs, giving students and their families access to fresh fruit, vegetables, canned and frozen food.
The woman behind the effort, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, said it's all about giving students a chance to shop with dignity and providing families who are food insecure a way to fill the gap.
“Food right now is costing more than it has ever cost," Crowe-Houston explained. "And what Goodr is just trying to help families get by until their next pay check."
RELATED: Free grocery store for seniors opens in Midtown
One middle school parent, Egyptian Howell-Proano, noted that she's seen students in her daughters school struggling and that this effort is life changing.
“Everyone should have the basic right to eat and function – especially as a kid in school," Howell-Proano said.
Howell-Proano's daughter, Amina Howell-Bland, is one of more than 900 students who attend Tapp. The middle schooler explained that she hates to see her friends struggling.
“You know how there’s a vending machine – they would take home goldfish and snacks for their brothers and sisters," Howell-Bland said.
Goodr opened their first Goodr Grocery Store in partnership with Grammy-nominated, platinum rap artist Gunna, in September of 2021. It opened at the site of his former middle school, Ronald E. McNair Middle School.
In January, Goodr followed up with an on-site store for residents at the Lutheran Towers senior living community in Midtown Atlanta. Last month, the company opened two of six planned stores in Denver Public Schools in partnership with Amazon and Aetna.
Apr. 14—Downtown Powder Springs will have the third-annual Bringing the Sea to the Springs Festival from May 12-14.The City of Powder Springs has once again joined with Robin Roberts Promotions to present this free family event designed to bring the community together through food, juried arts and crafts, fellowship and fun.Hours are May 12 from 3 to 9 p.m., May 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and May 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive in Powder Springs.No coolers or pets are allowed. Ge...
Apr. 14—Downtown Powder Springs will have the third-annual Bringing the Sea to the Springs Festival from May 12-14.
The City of Powder Springs has once again joined with Robin Roberts Promotions to present this free family event designed to bring the community together through food, juried arts and crafts, fellowship and fun.
Hours are May 12 from 3 to 9 p.m., May 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and May 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive in Powder Springs.
No coolers or pets are allowed. General admission and parking to the festival are free, however, there are tickets available for unique events such as The Beach Club VIP Ticket which includes VIP seating, private bar and lawn games.
The inaugural festival in 2021 welcomed over 10,000 attendees and its return in 2022 earned the "Spot On Event of the Year" Award from Cobb Travel & Tourism.
"Each year, it gets better and better, and I just look forward to the excitement," said Mayor Al Thurman. "All the great comments we get from citizens, saying 'The food is great,' 'The music has been great.' I'm just looking forward to it, and hope all of our citizens will come out and enjoy it."
Some of the food vendors are Atlanta Seafood Company, The Shrimp Box, C&G Concessions, All Around the World Food Truck, Raul's Latin Food Truck, Wild Caught Seafood Food Truck, CJ's Food Fantasy, Forget Me Not Catering, The Hillbilly Café, Pinch & Pull Seafood, Dunwoody Cafe and Catering, Gripps Grill Catering, BJ's Concessions, R&H Events & Promotions, Pork Ur Fork, Explosion Catering, South Fried Catfish Company, Ohana Shaved Ice, Swainson's Catering, Rachel's Cuisine and Sweet Treats, Sno-Angel Delights, Flavors by J. Mitchell, Laughing Crab and International Foods.
Some of the local Atlanta musicians include Gold Standard Band, a cover band that plays hits from R&B groups; Crossroads Band, an acoustic and electric band specializing in blues and easy going tunes; and May 13 headliner Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers. A Louisiana native who writes both the lyrics and music for his songs, Dwayne "Dopsie" Rubin is a singer/songwriter and accordionist that has performed all over the world since debuting his band at the age of 19.
For more information, visit bringingtheseatothesprings.com.
Business has been "up and down" for Stacey West since she opened Suga's Cheese Shoppe & Cafe, a restaurant known for its pimento chee...
Business has been "up and down" for Stacey West since she opened Suga's Cheese Shoppe & Cafe, a restaurant known for its pimento cheeses, in December 2021 in downtown Powder Springs.
What's happening: The city of about 17,000 people has a plan to attract people to its central business district through new developments, and West hopes it will give her restaurant and other small businesses the boost they need to survive in the grouchy post-pandemic economy.
Why it matters: As metro Atlanta's population experiences steady growth, suburban cities like Powder Springs are exploring ways to transform sleepy downtowns into destinations.
Details: The plan, which Powder Springs has been working on since early 2021, involves the city purchasing property and entering into public-private partnerships with developers who would build mixed-use options like retail shops, offices and residential uses.
What they're saying: Marsellas Williams, the city's economic development director, told Axios that the city envisions having more density that could support new and existing downtown businesses.
Get oriented: Powder Springs is about 20 miles west of Atlanta. It's mostly a residential city, with several small businesses housed in brick buildings along Marietta Street, downtown’s main thoroughfare.
The other side: Of course, people have raised concerns — mostly on social media — about the planned apartments.
Zoom out: Suburban communities across the country, which for a generation were built around mega shopping malls, now focus on reinventing downtowns and strip malls, commercial corridors, office parks and other "automobile-oriented" properties, said Ellen Dunham-Jones, professor and director of the Master of Science in Urban Design program at Georgia Tech.
Yes, and: Mayor Al Thurman told Axios that when he was first elected to the City Council, consultants said the city needed more "people to live in the downtown in order for those local businesses to survive."
Jake Hardy, co-owner of Rooted Trading Co., which sells local, handmade items, outdoor gear and rents bicycles, told Axios he's excited to see the changes.
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