WIN FREE WHITENING!
A Great Reason to SMILE!
Register for a chance to win a Complimentary Home Whitening Kit*
Drawing will be held March 7, 2012
Stop by our office or
ENTER ONLINE
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS! 
* Limit 1 entry per person please. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. We may advise you to postpone your whitening procedure if any disease or infection is evident upon a cursory oral examination.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Each February, dental professionals across the country work together with teachers and child caregivers to raise awareness about dental health.
If you are involved with a school, employer, church group or community organization that would like for us to present a lecture on oral health education, please Contact U
s – we would love to help!
The American Dental Association® sponsors educational resources and information that is available to the public to help promote good dental habits and oral health education.
Parents and Educators, please check out these links to the American Dental Association® web site:
Interactive games, videos and fun dental health information for kids.
Download and print coloring sheets and educational materials for your students
Dental Health Update: Have you heard about Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease is an oral infection that is caused by harmful bacteria that penetrate between the teeth and the gums. This progressive disease slowly destroys gum tissue and supportive bone in its path, and, if left untreated, can cause teeth to become loose and fall out.
For adults, periodontal disease becomes more likely than tooth decay as we age. Brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist become even more important to prevent this destructive disease.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Not only is periodontal disease an oral health concern, it can be a complicating factor for other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory illness. The increased bacteria and inflammation levels in the mouth are also a risk factor for expectant mothers.
Studies show that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can actually be passed through saliva to others, making it possible to spread periodontal disease through common contact between family members and couples.
Drs. Baxter and Marshall and our dental hygienists continually study current ongoing research about periodontal disease to diagnose and treat this destructive problem as early as possible. At each examination visit, we will “measure” your gums to look for early signs of infection and provide you with up-to-the-minute information on prevention of periodontal disease. Shadows between teeth on dental xrays can reveal areas of concern that are not visible to the naked eye.
Common signs of periodontal disease are bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath, and gum recession.
In most cases, periodontal disease does not hurt. If you believe that you or a loved one may have periodontal disease, please Contact Us to schedule a complete dental examination with necessary xrays and take control of your oral health.
Congratulations to our Kindle Fire Winner!
Congrats to our winner of the Kindle Fire drawing, Doug Garrison and his wife Barbara Garrison!!
They have promised to keep us updated on all the cool ‘apps’!
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS & FANS THAT ENTERED OUR DRAWING !
WIN A KINDLE FIRE!! Enter our Drawing
Enter our drawing for a chance to win and begin the New Year with a fun new gadget!!
DRAWING TO BE HELD JANUARY 17TH, 2012
Stop by our office to enter or Enter Online for a Chance to Win!
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS! 
Limit 1 entry per person please. You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
Should I use my Dental Insurance this Year or Next Year?
Do you have dental insurance? You may not know that most dental insurance plans “start over” on January 1st. Meaning, that if you have a plan maximum of $1,000 or $1,500 for example, your 2011 benefits end on December 31st and you begin 2012 with a new allowance. Many Health Flex Spending Accounts function the same way.
Why is this important to me?
If you have dental treatment needs, you may be missing out on maximizing your coverage between now and the end of the year. Most insurance and health flex spending plans are a “use it or lose it” benefit; the annual benefit “re-set” can actually cost you money.
Planning for your oral health
Many major dental services, such as root canals and periodontal services, can be phased. During this time of year, we can sometimes look for ways to complete an initial phase of treatment using this year’s benefits, and follow with the next phase in the upcoming new year.
- A “this year, next year” approach allows you to get the most from your coverage and complete your treatment in a timely manner to achieve the best results.
If you have dental treatment needs, we can help you with a strategy to use your insurance coverage effectively. Contact Us Today and take advantage of the benefits that you worked hard for!
TIME IS RUNNING OUT – ENTER OUR DRAWING TO WIN A SONICARE TOOTHBRUSH!!
ENTER & WIN!!!
Drawing to be held October 26, 2011
Stop by our office to register
or
ENTER ONLINE
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS!
Halloween Smiles
We want you and your family to have lots of fun this Halloween! Here are a few tips to keep those little ghouls and goblins’ smiles healthy:
Did You Know?
Sugar-free gum and candy that contains the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol actually help reduce cavities.
Research confirms that of all factors studied, xylitol most likely inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the oral bacteria that causes tooth decay.
In addition to gum, there are a number of popular sugar-free lollipops and hard candies available; consider including these for your trick-or-treaters this year to protect those precious smiles!
Understanding the Time Factor
While we all know that eating a lot of candy is not a good idea, the frequency in which sweets are consumed also plays a big role in oral health.
Damaging acids form in the mouth every time you eat a sugary snack and continue to affect the teeth for at least 20 minutes before they are neutralized. So, if we nibble on sweet snacks all day, our mouth is continually exposed to these acids, increasing the risk for tooth
erosion and decay.
We recommend limiting sweets and sugary snacks or combining them with meals to minimize the duration of acidic activity. And, brushing twice a day (and always before bedtime) along with daily flossing will help you and your little ones enjoy healthy smiles all year long.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
Reference: AGD KnowYourTeeth.com http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=p&iid=295&aid=1159
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Visit these sites to learn more:
American Cancer Society
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Dental Care during Cancer Therapy
If you are preparing for cancer therapy, we want to support your treatment by making sure your mouth stays healthy. 
We recommend that patients undergoing any major medical treatments see us beforehand, if possible, to ensure that there are no dental conditions that could result in a secondary infection.
- As part of this visit, we will help you develop an oral care plan with instructions and aids to help you maintain proper oral hygiene throughout your treatment.
Common Symptoms
Oral symptoms and discomfort such as dry mouth, changes in taste perception (including unpleasant taste or complete loss of taste), soreness, or difficulty in chewing or swallowing are common side effects experienced by patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- We may recommend special fluoride applications or rinses to help build up resistance to decay-causing bacteria and ease discomfort.
Home Care Tips
Keeping the mouth, tongue and gums clean is especially important during cancer treatment, when the body’s ability to fight harmful oral bacteria is compromised.
- Consistent tooth brushing after every meal and before bedtime goes a long way in reducing the risk of dental flare-ups. If your gums are sore, soften toothbrush bristles in warm water to make brushing more comfortable.
- Gentle flossing once a day is also recommended. During cancer therapy, avoid any areas that bleed, and report them to your doctor or dentist.
- Reduced saliva flow increases the risk for decay, so we recommend rinsing with water often to keep the mouth moist. Sugarless gum, sugar-free candy or ice chips can also help.
- Avoid mouth rinses that contain alcohol, as this can actually dry the mouth further.
If you wear dentures, we recommend checking them for a good fit before cancer treatment begins. During your therapy, we recommend cleaning your dentures after each meal with a antimicrobial solution (we can suggest a few).
- Remove dentures while sleeping, and also during any periods of significant mouth soreness.
If you are a health care professional or are caring for a loved one that is undergoing cancer treatment, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about oral health care during this important time.
Visit the National Institutes for Health NIDCR web site to download a guide Chemotherapy and Your Mouth
Reference: National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.org
