Winter 2008/2009Winter 2008/2009Winter 2008/2009Produced to improve your dental health and awareness

Filling You InFilling You InFilling You Inwith Drs. Czekala, Schinnerer & Associates

Thank you for all your referrals. We appreciate them!

Happy Holidays!We hope that as you receive this

newsletter from our offi ce, you are settling into your holiday season and spending it with your family and friends. With all the volatility and uncertainty that occurred this fall, it is always comforting to have the constant of those you love around you.

In this newsletter, we will get you caught up on the happenings in the offi ce and share some news about staff and patients. Inside there are articles about your dental health and prevention that we hope you will fi nd interesting and informative. The winners of the “Take The Newsletter on Vacation” are revealed and the latest contest is sure to intrigue the puzzle solver in your family.

Don’t forget to stop by the offi ce during the month of December to pick up our annual cookbook that we put together for our patients.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season and in the New Year,

Dr. Czekala, Schinnerer, Cannatella, Moonka and Staff

Office Updates

Baby News…We have exciting announcements from our staff. Libby, our long-time hygienist

has become a grandma for the fi rst time with the birth of her grandson Nico. He is one handsome young man with an amazing head of hair. Heather, Dr. Czekala’s assistant, and her husband Nick are expecting their fi rst child in April. They are eagerly awaiting their new little one. Finally, our offi ce manager Carol will soon be called “Grammy”, as her stepson John and his wife Melissa will welcome a little girl in February.

Travel News...Dr. Czekala traveled to the Greek Isles

this summer with friends for a unique vacation. They swam from island to island for one week. Each swim was about three

miles and made for some great fun. Dr. Schinnerer and his wife Diane enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise in October visiting numerous ports of call.

Baker in the House...Michelle, assistant to Dr. Schinnerer and Dr. Czekala, is not only

an A-1 assistant, but also a talented baker, creating elaborate cakes for friends and family. Michelle has made this a hobby, sometimes staying up to all hours of the night to complete her delicious creations.

Party Hawaiian Style...Dr. Czekala treated the entire staff to a wonderful luau

which included Hawaiian dancers, tacky shirts and tropical drinks. Fun was had by all, especially Dr. Czekala! Thank you to Ann and Les Sparrey for hosting this event in their beautiful home. To complete this Hawaiian theme, we will be hosting our offi ce holiday party at Mahalo Grille in Pleasanton, which is owned by our patients, The Israel Family.

Featured Patient…Our favorite pole vaulter, Justin Miller, fi nished his senior year at Cal High by

fi nishing second at the State Championships in Cerritos. Justin is beginning his freshman year at UC Berkeley where he will be competing for the Bears. Good luck Justin!

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You don’t have to assume that chronological ageing will dramatically alter your smile. After all, as your dental team, we’re committed to helping you maintain your oral health and most attractive appearance. But you can help by becoming aware of and managing factors in your own environment. Toothbrush abrasion from brushing incorrectly or with too much pressure is common and can lead to receding gums, exposed roots, and exposed yellow dentin due to thinning enamel, plus sensitive teeth, cavities, and tooth loss. Substituting unsafe objects like earrings, forks, and needles for dental fl oss can damage your gums. Frankly, toothpicks are also potentially hazardous. Sugary acidic drinks and sports beverages can erode enamel and create an incubating environment for the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Teeth grinding and clenching can crack and wear teeth and restorations and damage gums and cheeks. Smoking is the single major preventable risk factor for gum disease. It also depletes Vitamin C which is preventive. Even exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with a 50-60% increased risk for developing disease. Untreated periodontal diseases which are infections of the gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar (jaw) bone can destroy the appearance and health of the gums and bone and lead to tooth loss.

We can’t stop the ageing process, and maintaining your beautiful and youthful smile is really a lifetime commitment. But with good care, you can keep a healthy, younger-looking smile ... for decades.

First Things FirstIt’s worth it!

Study after study shows that a nice smile is important to how others perceive you. So we’re totally on board when you want cosmetic dentistry. We’d like to remind you though, that whether you’re considering whitening, veneers, or restorations like crowns or implants, you need strong teeth or bones and healthy gums to get your most attractive – and lasting – outcome.

Brush, fl oss, and rinse to banish gum disease!

Early disease includes gums that... are red, swollen, and tender bleed when you brush and fl oss generate bad breath.

If left untreated gum disease can... progress to infl ammation and

chronic infections. That can lead to...

the loss of teeth, gum, connective tissues, and the underlying jawbone.Let’s optimize your oral health and

maximize your cosmetic results!

Manage It!

Smoking is the single major preventable risk factor for gum disease

Your environment

can hurt your smile!

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A Piece Of The PuzzleAbout oral cancer

Worldwide, close to 400,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. If diagnosed early, oral cancer can be highly curable, and now research has provided another clue. Chronic gum disease in men may increase their risk of tongue cancer!

Even after adjusting for smoking, age, and the number of teeth, each millimeter of bone loss due to gum disease was associated with more than fi ve times the increase in the risk of tongue cancer.

This is interesting because today more than 25% of oral cancer victims are young adults who have none of the usual risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes, or HIV.

Viruses and bacteria in gum tissues could be toxic to surrounding cells, or could indirectly contribute to cancer through infl ammation. Please have regular periodontal and oral cancer exams.

...Naturally!Do you think they inject Omega-3

fatty acids into every one of those eggs? Surprise! Actually, they alter the chickens’ feed – often with pleasant- tasting ground fl axseed which is higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and lower in saturated fatty acids than other grains.

Cold water fi sh like herring, mackerel, and salmon are superior sources of Omega-3, but all sources, according to research, can be benefi cial to your health. One caveat, though – if you opt for supplements, Omega-3s have blood-thinning potential and can interact with medications.

Did you know that Omega-3s may prevent soft tissue and bone loss associated with gum disease? Not only that, but research also suggests they may... improve cardiovascular health help brain function protect expectant mothers against

post-partum depression diminish joint infl ammation.

Eggscellent!

How Do They Do That?

Focus On YouYour oral and overall health matter

Imagine if a wound in your forearm became increasingly swollen and infl amed, yet was left untreated. You might worry that it would eventually affect your health. Well, your oral tissue is equal to the amount of skin between your wrist and elbow ... and many scientists believe that gum diseases, like other infections, have the potential to infl uence the rest of your body.

This is not a new idea. In 1891, The Human Mouth As A Focus of Infectionproposed that oral microbes affect overall health. However, in the absence of adequate science, focal theory gradually fell out of favor. Still, the mouth-body link regained credibility when newer research was emphasized in the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America in 2001.

Associations have been made between gum disease and heart and stroke, some cancers, diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, premature deliveries, and toxemia. The strength and precise nature of these associations are unclear. However, long-term studies and improved research designs that consider factors like age and tobacco use are creating a more complete picture.

Your mouth is a complex ecosystem harboring many kinds of bacteria. Viruses and infl ammation have also been suggested as possible factors. Thus it appears unlikely that a single “gorillacillin” superdrug will present the solution.

We urge you to maintain your home care routines and your regularly scheduled visits with us to help maintain your optimal oral health.visits with us to help maintain your optimal oral health.

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infl amed, yet was left untreated. You might worry that it would eventually affect your health. Well, your oral tissue is equal to the amount of skin between your

Your mouth is a complex ecosystem harboring many kinds of bacteria. Viruses and infl ammation have also been suggested as possible factors. Thus it appears

We urge you to maintain your home care routines and your regularly scheduled

Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your specifi c information be sure to consult our offi ce. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.

Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. © PATIENT NEWS PUBLISHING (800) 667-0268

officeinformation

454 - W81 - 44826 ML08-6

Drs. Czekala, Schinnerer & AssociatesSteven R. Czekala, DDSDonald M. Schinnerer, DDSLisa Y. Cannatella, DDSPriyanka Moonka, DDS9301 Fircrest Lane, Suite 7San Ramon, CA 94583-3960Office HoursMon-Thu 7:00 am – 5:00 pmFriday 8:00 am – 5:00 pmSaturday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm ** 2 Saturdays per month

Contact InformationOffice (925) 828-5335Fax (925) 829-6170Email czekaladds@aol.comOffice StaffClaire, Cindy, Libby, Ann, Heidi, Lesa, Elizabeth, Teresa ...................HygienistsMichelle, Kelly, Heather, Kim ................Cathleen, Annie .................... AssistantsDebbie, Ann, Donna, Genie ...Front OfficeKris, Donna ........... Insurance SpecialistsCarol ............................ Office Manager

The Taylor Family FoundationMaking a difference

Dr. Czekala had the pleasure of attending the Taylor Family Foundation’s Day in the Park in August. Held at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, this event helps to raise funds for the foundation’s summer camp programs. The Taylor Family Foundation has helped thousands of children who suffer from conditions such as autism, heart disease, brain tumors, and HIV/AIDS by providing medical care, psychological support and an amazing summer camp experience. Two of our patients, Anne Joerger and Jamie Osborn, are instrumental in keeping the

Thanks to all of you who entered our summer contest. This years contest consisted of taking the newsletter on vacation Thanks to all of you who entered our summer contest. This years contest consisted of taking the newsletter on vacation Thanks to all of you who entered our summer contest. This years contest consisted of taking the newsletter on vacation with you and sending us a picture. Our patients are very lucky as they traveled to some wonderful locations. Here are the with you and sending us a picture. Our patients are very lucky as they traveled to some wonderful locations. Here are the with you and sending us a picture. Our patients are very lucky as they traveled to some wonderful locations. Here are the winners!winners!winners!

And The Winner Is...And The Winner Is...And The Winner Is...

Waverly RunionWaverly RunionWaverly RunionFurthest Distance TraveledFurthest Distance TraveledFurthest Distance TraveledFurthest Distance TraveledWaverly went to Singapore which Waverly went to Singapore which Waverly went to Singapore which Waverly went to Singapore which is a whopping 8,469 miles from is a whopping 8,469 miles from is a whopping 8,469 miles from is a whopping 8,469 miles from San Ramon!San Ramon!San Ramon!San Ramon!

Louise and Emily LedfordLouise and Emily LedfordLouise and Emily LedfordRandom DrawRandom DrawLouise and Emily traveled to Louise and Emily traveled to Louise and Emily traveled to Ashland, Oregon using the Ashland, Oregon using the Ashland, Oregon using the newsletter to play dress up!newsletter to play dress up!newsletter to play dress up!

4. Nick and Ava GruenerNick and Ava GruenerHonorable MentionHonorable MentionThe Gruener family traveled to The Gruener family traveled to Paris smuggling the newsletter smuggling the newsletter into The Louvre, taking a picture , taking a picture , taking a picture with thewith thewith the Mona Lisa Mona Lisa Mona Lisa.

2. The Rimshaw FamilyMost CreativeNate, Cathy, Allison and Aaron Rimshaw made a super cute scrapbook of their various trips to Lake their various trips to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. What Tahoe and Yosemite. What Tahoe and Yosemite. What a fun summer!

winners!winners!winners!

1. Waverly RunionWaverly RunionWaverly RunionWaverly Runion

3. Louise and Emily LedfordRandom DrawLouise and Emily traveled to Ashland, Oregon using the newsletter to play dress up!

4. Honorable MentionThe Gruener family traveled to Parisinto with thewith the

2. The Rimshaw Family

won our recipe contest with her delicious Chocolate Covered Honeycomb. Her prize winning recipe will be

featured in our annual Culinary Corner Cookbook. You will also fi nd recipes from some of our other patients as well as some staff favorites. Culinary Corner will

be available while supplies last, as a treat to our patients!

Carolyn Trent won our recipe contest with Carolyn Trent won our recipe contest with Carolyn Trent. Her prize winning recipe will be

thriving. If you’d like more information thriving. If you’d like more information about the great work that they do, please visit their web site at www.ttff.org.

Dr. Czekala & Anne Joerger