Author Archives: Piedm

Winter Wonderland in Midtown Atlanta

Piedmont Periodontics is located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta where moderate temperatures allow residents to enjoy an urban winter wonderland like no other.

Some of our favorite seasonal activities and events near our office include

Atlanta Santa Speedo Run | Dec 11
Strip down to your skivvies in the name of charity for this 1-mile fun run sponsored by Bert’s Big Adventure, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides magical, all-expenses-paid journeys to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses.

Smiles for the Season | Dec 12
Experience a festive character breakfast buffet to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Friday Jazz | Dec 17
Enjoy music curated by Kenny Banks Jr. at the High Museum. This recurring event features a different style of jazz each month from straight ahead to free jazz, bebop to swing, and more.

Season on the Square | Now – Jan 17
Did you know that Colony Square became home to an indoor ice-skating rink in 1973? Well, lace up your skates for a nostalgic return! “Midtown’s Living Room” has been transformed into an outdoor ice-skating rink for the winter. After your session, warm up with a specialty holiday cocktail.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights | Now – Jan 15
Voted the best holiday event in metro Atlanta by AJC Readers, guests can expect new twists including a colorful Glowing Grove along the Flower Walk, oversized flowers leading to Ice Goddess, and several lighted sculptures from the 2021 summer exhibition SUPERnatural: Glass Art by Jason Gamrath.

December is a great time to take advantage of all that Midtown Atlanta has to offer. Happy Holidays from Piedmont Periodontics!

Support Small Business and Local Makers this Holiday Season

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Piedmont Periodontics encourages our patients to observe Small Business Saturday on November 27th. Whether you dine or shop locally, your purchases make our community stronger.

The holidays are a great time to support local artisans by selecting handmade gifts including jewelry, textiles, home goods, and accessories. Plus your family and friends are sure to be touched by your thoughtful and unique gifts.

Upcoming artisan shopping opportunities around town include the following:

Holiday Artisan Market at the High | Nov 26 – 27
This two-day event at the High Museum of Art brings together 20 of Atlanta’s top artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Shop for handmade gifts including jewelry, textiles, home goods, accessories, and more. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Holiday ICE at Uptown Atlanta | Nov 20
The Indie Craft Experience has produced craft and vintage markets in Atlanta since 2005, featuring makers and sellers from all over the country with an emphasis on the Southeast. Shop at the market and then enjoy Elf on the Big Screen. Market 11:00 am – 5:00 pm with showtime at 7:00 pm

Peachtree Road Farmers Market | Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18
Held at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead, the Holiday Artists Market will feature beautiful handmade gifts from more than 25 local artists in addition to the farmers market’s regular vendors. 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Plywood Artisan Market | Dec 4
Atlanta nonprofit Plywood People leads a community of startups committed to solving social issues. Shop at their first ever Artisan Market to support local businesses that are making their communities a better place. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Atlanta Christkindl Market | Nov 26 – Jan 2
This winter The Buckhead Village District streets will be transformed into a traditional German Christkindl market. Enjoy authentic German food and beverages and shop for German, Austrian, and Swiss products.

Happy holidays from the entire Piedmont Periodontics team!

Start a New and Healthy Halloween Tradition

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Tired of your tot eating their weight in bite-size sweets every Halloween? This may be the year to introduce the Switch Witch!

We all know that the Tooth Fairy swaps baby teeth for cash. (How much? That’s a story for another day.) Like the Tooth Fairy, the Switch Witch leaves a present for a child in exchange for a significant portion of his or her candy.

To avoid a massive tantrum, be sure to discuss the Switch Witch’s visit in the days leading up to Halloween. Ask your child what toy s/he might like to receive in exchange for leftover candy. Make the reward roughly equivalent to the amount of candy traded. Prizes don’t have to be big, expensive items. Stickers, crayons, or decorative erasers all make fantastic trades, especially for younger children.

If the experiment goes well, you can even purchase your own Switch Witch plush toy for next year!

In the meantime, make a plan to get all that extra candy out of the house. Donate it to a food pantry or shelter; give it to the teenagers who ring your bell after your kids are fast asleep; find a store that collects candy for the troops overseas; or take it to work and share the wealth.

We wish you a wonderful Halloween full of new and healthy family traditions!

Bon appetit in our Neighbood, Midtown Atlanta

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Aside from being centrally located, one of the best parts of having an office in Midtown Atlanta is exploring the ever-changing food scene. Next time you schedule an appointment make sure to reserve time to eat. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there is a tasty meal around every corner.

Speaking of around the corner, Atlanta’s newest Shake Shack is under construction next to Willy’s at Piedmont Park. The space will even feature a covid-friendly walk-up window.

Another option for a quick meal near our office is Politan Row at Colony Square. This food hall includes outposts of Federal Burger; bubble tea bar Unbelibubble; Tandoori Pizza and Wing Co.; Bun Mi Vietnamese Grill; smoothie and bowl spot YŌM; Hibachi and sushi stall Gekko; Creole-Mexican street taco stall Pretty Little Taco; Neapolitan-style pizzeria Belli; and Caribbean food spot Locale Cafe. The final two stalls, Marrakech Express and Zaddy’s, open their doors in September. If you have time to stay for a drink, Politan Row also features a 40-seat central bar.

Slightly further down 12th Street, Epicurean Atlanta is now open on West Peachtree. This 16-story hotel is designed for food lovers featuring the ground-level restaurant Reverence, Aerial Kitchen and Bar on the ninth floor terrace, and a high-tech kitchen classroom called Epicurean Theatre. Each of the 178 rooms at Epicurean Atlanta come equipped with fully stocked pantries and mini bars and food-themed design elements, including artwork and butcher-block accents.

Finally, if you are celebrating a special occasion, head south to Lyla Lila for southern European menus that evolve seasonally. This Midtown newbie recently appeared on the The New York Times’ 2021 list of 50 restaurants they’re “excited about.”

From fast casual to foodie destinations, clearly our Midtown Atlanta location will offer something tasty that fits both your schedule and budget. Bon appetit!

Health Beyond Your Mouth

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At Piedmont Periodontics we want our patients to be healthy from head-to-toe. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of this often taboo topic. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Although common, suicidal thoughts should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious mental health issues.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are taking inventory of self-care activities in midtown Atlanta.

Light | September 9 @ 6:30 PM
AFSP Georgia invites you to a candlelight vigil to commemorate those who have lost their lives and recognize those who have survived. Join the free virtual event to learn more about suicide prevention and ways you can support this important effort.

Listen | September 28 @7:30 pm
Enjoy the sounds of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra surrounded by community. Head to Piedmont Park’s Oak Hill for the Orchestra’s first Piedmont Park performance since 2019. This year’s free outdoor concert will feature musical favorites from Gershwin’s An American in Paris to Bernstein’s West Side Story.

Move | Tuesdays @10am
With 200+ acres of green space, Piedmont Park offers unlimited fitness opportunities. Guided fitness classes hold you accountable and keep you motivated. Explore popular Piedmont Park paths for 45-minutes each week throughout the Fall season. Meet at the south entrance to the Active Oval.

Give
Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. Their Stability Network has connected thousands of people to resources related to mental health, physical health and wellness, substance abuse and addiction, dental and vision, employment, housing and utilities, family and social services, financial services, and legal and immigration services.

Piedmont Periodontics has made a donation to Giving Kitchen in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.

A Visit to Piedmont Periodontics Can Be Music to Your Ears

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Our office is conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta, where music is in the air this September. Next time you visit Dr. Schaefer, make time to explore the arts and cultural treasures unique to our city.

Atlanta Jazz Festival | September 5 – 6, 2021
One of the largest free jazz events in the country, the Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park over Labor Day weekend. Since 1977 the event has showcased both legendary performers like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nina Simone and up-and-coming jazz performers. The 2021 lineup includes Patti Austin, Ron Carter, Jazzmeia Horn, Miguel Zenón, Lauren Talese, and Theo Crocker.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | September 9 – 11, 2021
The deceptively simple four-note opening to Beethoven’s Fifth will blow the door off Symphony Hall as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra launches its 77th Season. In addition to in person concerts, the orchestra will continue to provide virtual broadcasts this season.

Music Midtown | September 18 – 19, 2021
Atlanta’s premier festival for music lovers since 1994, Music Midtown features a diverse lineup of over 30 artists across 4 stages including headline acts Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, 21 Savage, and DaBaby.

Hamilton | Now – September 26, 2021
After 17-month delay, Lin-Manuel Mirand’s Hamilton has returned to the Fox Theatre! Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, the the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton has not only revolutionized musical theatre but also had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

Looking for more? Keep an eye out for free ELEVATE performances popping up in various locations around town starting September 10.

Visiting Piedmont Periodontics? August Is Festival Time!

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Atlantans will use just about any excuse to organize a festival. People all over town gather to celebrate their communities — from avid readers to comic book fans, craft beer enthusiasts to ice cream connoisseurs, art collectors to film critics.

Our offices are located a stone’s throw from Piedmont Park, one of the most popular festival venues in town. Mask up because the park will be hopping this month. If you make a Friday appointment with Dr. John W. Schaefer, you may be able to catch some of the action!

Atlanta Dogwood Festival | Aug 6 – 8

The city’s longest-running festival and the third-oldest fine arts festival in the country, the 85th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival returns. Visit Piedmont Park for fine art, live music, the world-famous disc dogs, and more.

BeREGGAE: Atlanta Reggae in the Park | Aug 13 – 15

Established in 2014, Atlanta Reggae in the Park has organically grown into the largest free Afro-Caribbean reggae festival in the country featuring the Atlanta lndie Market, music, culture, and grassroots organizations. Also check out the world’s first Augmented Reality Live In-Person Music Festival that allows attendees to interact with virtual images and activations using the camera on their mobile device.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival | Aug 21 – 22

Named one of the “Top 100 Arts Festivals in the Nation” by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the Piedmont Park Summer Arts Festival is all about visual arts and family fun. The weekend will feature up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters — including artist demonstrations.

Festival Peachtree Latino 2021 | Aug 29
Unfortunately the 2021 annual Festival Peachtree Latino has been cancelled. Stay turned for 2022 details.

Visiting Piedmont Periodontics? Make Time for Art!

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Our office is conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta, home to the largest concentration of arts and cultural venues in the Southeast. As the city re-opens, the art scene in Midtown is heating up along with the summer weather. Next time you visit Dr. Schaefer, make time to stop by one of Midtown’s world class museums.

Calder-Picasso | June 26 – September 19
High Museum of Art
Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso are two of the foremost figures in the history of twentieth-century art. Conceived by the artists’ grandsons, this touring exhibition presents more than one hundred paintings, sculptures, and works on paper that reveal the radical innovation and enduring influence of Calder and Picasso’s art.

Bike to the Future | April 22 – July 25
Museum of Design Atlanta
Make reservations to see the latest in bicycle design. Bike to the Future presents a collection of contemporary models from the new millennium, including Philippe Starck’s electric bike ‘MASS,’ Tobias Knockaert’s laser-cut bicycle, as well as prototypes and experiments made with unusual materials.

‘Symptom Machine’ | February 23 – August 1
SCAD Museum of Art
Kate Cooper’s computer-generated (CG) video works grapple with ideas related to the production and consumption of images, testing the boundaries of representation.

Want more culture in your life? Get more ideas from the Midtown Arts and Attractions Map.

Dental Care Remains Important After Leaving the Nest

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Young people head off to college every September. Living on their own for the first time, students may not prioritize routine dental care. During this transitional period, parents can encourage healthy diet and lifestyle choices that help nearly-grown children avoid slipping into bad habits.

Hopefully young adults have already developed good hygiene habits that reduce the chance of dental decay and infection. Gently remind students to brush their teeth twice a day, floss daily, and use mouth wash to kill bacteria. Continue to schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings at least twice a year.

While college students may not correlate a healthy diet with a healthy mouth, the food choices they make can and will affect their dental health. Disease-causing oral bacteria thrive on carbohydrates like sugar and secrete acids that can erode tooth enamel. Selecting fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed snacks will limit sugar consumption and lower the risk of decay. Consider renting or purchasing a mini-fridge for the dorm room to make healthy snack options more accessible.

The dangers of alcohol and drug use on campus are well documented. However, most people do not know that consuming alcohol and smoking tobacco inhibits the secretion of saliva which neutralizes acids and fights infection. Over time dry mouth increases the risk of both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

College is also an important time for self expression. If possible, steer your young adults away from mouth piercings. The constant movement and friction erodes enamel and contributes to the shrinking back of the gums (recession). Let your child know that lip and tongue hardware has been known to chip teeth causing potentially painful and expensive repairs.

Finally, be sure to have a conversation about safe sex. Some forms of sexual activity increase the risk for contracting the human papilloma virus (HPV16) which raises the risk of oral cancer, a rare but deadly disease with a poor survival rate.

Above all, explain to your newly-independent child that inattention to dental health can have consequences that plague them long after graduation. Help steer them toward good habits that will protect their lives, teeth, and gums.

Adults Are Not Immune to Dental Problems

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Fresh breath, strong teeth and healthy gums are vital to your overall health. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends focusing on the Daily 4 to help people maintain healthy smiles.

BRUSH

Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes, with a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth and easily reach the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces in your mouth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

FLOSS

You may have read recent reports questioning the benefits of flossing, but the ADA still recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day. Flossing will remove any plaque missed by brushing and prevent plaque from hardening into tartar.

RINSE

Mouth wash kills bacteria in the mouth and may reduce your chance of dental decay and infection.

CHEW

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals increases the flow of saliva, washing away food debris and preventing tooth decay. Gum also neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth.

Remember that adults are not immune to dental problems. Cutting back on tobacco use and sugary drinks will help maintain your oral health. In addition to maintaining a good home care routine, schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings at least twice a year.