BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SUMMER

SMILE!

Teeth whitening success depends on why your teeth are stained and also the degree of staining. Keep in mind that anything that can stain your white cotton t-shirt can stain your teeth. It may take years to build up, but your daily coffee and tea habit, your lunchtime cola and your evening glass of red wine can result in a double-take in front of the mirror one day when you see the cumulative effect of repeated exposure to staining foods and beverages on your teeth.

Teeth whitening is quick, easy and effective, however keep in mind that what works for one person may not be as effective for another. That is why your first stop should be to your dental office to find out what

will work best for you, well before you spend any money on whitening products that may not provide desired results.

We may, in some cases, recommend dental veneers to perfect both the color and the shape of your teeth in one step. Veneers are beautiful smile solutions that have the added benefit of providing stain-resistant characteristics. In fact, if you’re fond of coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes, blueberries and other foods with deep, staining colors, you will enjoy better stain-resistance with your dental veneers than with your natural tooth enamel!

Call today to ask how to create a smile that’s bright, white and just right for you!

Bright and white – the universal summer wardrobe standard. When your summer whites are contrasted against your teeth though, are you seeing too much of a color difference? If so, ask us about teeth whitening options.

COS

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2

Compliments of Dr. Sam Sample

Summer is finally here! Before you jump into full vacation mode, make sure your dental care is up to date. And if you have kids, take advantage of their summer break by having them catch up on their dental checkups too. After all, the last thing you should have to worry about while on summer vacation is fixing overdue tooth problems!

Remember that we have the facilities to take care of all your dental needs, from regular checkups to complete smile makeovers. Also remember that we work with all kinds of insurance plans so if you have a dental plan that provides annual benefits, please note that we’re already halfway through 2015 – make the most of your benefits before the rest of the year slips away!

Whether it’s time for a checkup or you’re looking for a boost to your summer look by whitening your teeth, please call us today to set up a convenient appointment time.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

All the best,

Sam SampleDr. Sam Sample and Team

News from the office of:

Dr. Sam Sample

The importance of calcium in the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones is well documented, but if you’re lactose intolerant or simply not a fan of milk, cheese and yogurt, where else can you receive the necessary calcium input?

You could take a calcium supplement, but getting enough calcium in your diet (approximately 1,000 mg of calcium per day for most adults) can also be achieved enjoyably and without much effort simply by choosing the right foods and beverages.

Here are just a few examples of non-dairy foods with a high calcium content to get you started!

Soybeans, white beans or navy beans: These beans are loaded with protein, in addition to calcium, and are versatile to cook.

Canned salmon: Drain, then mash up all the contents of the can of salmon – bones included – for a delicious cold sandwich, or make salmon patties as a hamburger alternative.

Canned sardines: Like salmon, the bones in sardines contain the calcium punch, so don’t remove and discard them! You won’t notice the small, soft bones once the sardines are mashed.

Dry roasted almonds: A handful of these makes for a great snack, and provides a delicious calcium boost.

Spinach, collards, kale, and turnip leaves: These are just some of the leafy greens that include calcium as one of their healthy features.

Oranges, orange juice and calcium-fortified orange juice: While regular oranges and orange juice contain both vitamin C and some calcium, a glass of calcium-fortified orange juice can provide the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk!

Calcium consumption is important at all stages of life, from babies and toddlers to adolescents to older adults. In fact, when adults don’t get enough calcium in their

diet, their body is forced to borrow what it needs from their bones. Continued withdrawals of calcium from the “bone bank” can lead to osteoporosis, or brittle bones. Dentists are sometimes the first ones to notice the onset of osteoporosis, because as the jawbone is surrendering calcium for needs elsewhere in your body, your jaw will weaken and your teeth will loosen, creating gaps where bacteria can invade. This in turn can trigger oral infection, inflammation and bleeding. The condition of your teeth and gums can therefore be a window to the overall health of your bones.

It’s not hard to include enough calcium in your diet. A quick online search will unveil dozens of calcium-rich foods and the recipes to make the most of them, while a walk through the grocery store will present calcium-fortified cereals, beverages and a wide array of convenient ways to ensure you’re receiving the right amount of calcium each day.

DAIRY FREE DOESN’T MEAN

CALCIUM FREE!

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Why do we snack? In many cases it’s linked to emotions or current situations, as opposed to something we do to appease a physical hunger. Stress, depression and boredom are all moods that may trigger the urge to reach for a sweet or salty treat, while social and celebratory situations also create opportunities for off-schedule nibbling. Having a snack attack? Read this first!

If your tooth is knocked right out, find it, gently rinse it and phone for an immediate, emergency dental apointment. If possible, carefully place the tooth back in its socket, and hold it in place with your fingers or by gently biting down on it. Alternatively, immerse the tooth in milk and transport it with you to the dentist.

If a tooth is knocked loose, the immediate procedure is very similar – guide the tooth back into its proper place with your finger, and have the tooth looked at by a dentist within 30 minutes.

If you chip a tooth and have the broken piece, keep it moist until you get to the dentist as there may be a possibility the chip can be re-attached to your tooth. Alternatively, your best bet for an easy, economical and effective cosmetic restoration is with dental bonding. In fact, even if you don’t have an accident, bonding can be used to even out the shape of your teeth, change the color of severely stained teeth or fill in those gaps between your teeth that have been bothering you!

Of course, please don’t wait until you’re forced to see us because of a dental emergency; if you haven’t yet made your regular continuing care appointment, pick up the phone and reserve your time today!

With summer finally here, many of us jump headfirst into outdoor activities – biking, roller blading, soccer and so many other great outdoor sporting activities. While what you’ll no doubt hear from us is, “don’t forget your mouth guard!” we do know that accidents happen, so here are some suggestions to keep in mind should you experience a dental emergency.

How snacking can harm your teeth:

Plaque, a sticky form of bacteria that live on your teeth, feeds off the starches and sugar that snacking delivers and produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Snacking on the wrong foods throughout the day encourages cavities as it provides a constant supply of food for bacteria to feed on.

Teeth-friendly snack suggestions:

• Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, carrots and radishes. Fibrous foods like these stimulate the salivary glands to release saliva, which continuously rinses the mouth and therefore protects the teeth.

• Cheese. Cheese is a great snack option not only because it provides calcium and phosphates, but also because it helps neutralize harmful acids created by the plaque in your mouth.

• Sugar-free gum. It’s just as easy to unwrap a piece of sugar-free gum as it is to unwrap a sugary candy, and it is infinitely better for your teeth. In fact, in addition to promoting salivary flow in the mouth to help wash away food and neutralize acid in the mouth, some sugar-free gums contain xylitol, which can kill the bacteria that damages teeth.

We’d be happy to share many other healthy snack suggestions and other ways to help fight acid erosion on your teeth – please ask!

SNACK ATTACK!

GOOD AS NEW!

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Smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful oral bacteria, often leading to periodontal disease, which can lead to deep pockets between teeth and gums. These pockets let in bacteria that can destroy tissue and bone, making teeth look longer, become loose and painful and maybe even fall out. This is why smokers tend to be about twice as likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers.

Once your tooth falls out you may decide you want to replace it with a dental implant, usually an extremely successful, natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth. But be aware that while the success rate of dental implants in non-smokers is almost 100%, it drops to 50% to 70% for smokers.

Smokers have decreased blood flow, and because implants require a good blood supply to heal, sometimes the implant won’t integrate. The good

news is that in many cases, smoking cessation will result in improved periodontal health and therefore an improved chance of tooth replacement success.

Please call to ask us to work with you towards your goal of a smoke-free future, complete with a beautiful smile!

Are you a smoker? If so, you need to be extra diligent with your dental care, not only for the sake of your gums and the health and color of your natural teeth, but also for the success of any tooth replacements you may require in the future.

A SMOKIN’ SMILE?Sometimes a patient isn’t happy with the color of their teeth, so we suggest an in-office or take-home whitening solution. Other times teeth are slightly crooked, chipped, uneven, too small or too large, have gaps in-between or are missing entirely. We will then suggest orthodontics, bonding, veneers, crowns or dental implants depending on the situation. Smile too gummy? We’ll even out the gums with a simple in-office procedure. And then there are those situations where a patient has a number of dental needs and wants, and for both health and beauty reasons we suggest a full smile makeover.

A smile makeover can, through various cosmetic improvements, create a noticeably positive and beautiful change. On a practical level, a full set of properly aligned teeth allows for comfortable chewing, and can even eliminate headaches that stem from an improper bite.

Please ask us about all our smile solutions to create your own beautiful smile makeover!

SMILE MAKEOVER

MAGIC

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The information contained in this newsletter is not designed as dental advice, but rather as a means to encourage interest in your dental health and communication with your dentist. Whole or partial reproduction of this newsletter is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. © Market Connections Inc. 2015, Phone: (800) 795-8021, Website: www.dentalhealthnews.org

Christine Dental Hygienist Dr. Sam Sample Caitlin Dental Assistant Gwen Treatment Coordinator

Our Services Include:• General Dentistry • Emergency Dental Care • Bad Breath Advice & Treatment • Tooth Whitening• Cosmetic Dentistry • Denture Fittings• Dental Implants • Bonding & Veneers • Crowns & Bridges

Dr. Sam Sample25 Main Street West Suite 202 City, State, ZIP

Phone: (000) 555-1234Fax: (000) 555-5678

Office Hours: Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fri.: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.Sat.: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Main Street Dental