Cold weather is here, the holidays are in full swing, and it feels like the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and take a little extra care of ourselves, smiles included.
In this issue, we’re talking about cavity-free ways to enjoy holiday treats, continuing our mouth–body connection series with a focus on heart health, and sharing how we help patients feel more comfortable (and less anxious) in the dental chair. We’re also celebrating another great year together with photos from our team holiday party and sharing a few important updates, including Give Kids A Smile Day in February, Delta Dental changes, and some schedule updates starting January 1.
Pour yourself something warm, get cozy, and enjoy. Thanks for being part of our dental family this season!
In This Issue:
- Cavity Free Festivities
- Oral Health and the Whole Body Connection: What Your Oral Health Has to Do With Your Heart
- Quick Reminder for Delta Dental Patients
- You’re Not “Too Difficult” — You’re Just Human
- Holiday Cheer With Our Team!
- No Saturday Appointments Starting in January
- Upcoming Give Kids A Smile Day
- Recipe: How to turn anything into soup
- Please leave us a review!
Cavity Free Festivities
Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/how-to-avoid-cavities-during-the-holiday-season
Holiday treats are part of the fun—and enjoying them doesn’t mean you’re automatically headed for a cavity. With a little awareness (and a few smart swaps), you can absolutely celebrate the season and keep your smile healthy. These simple, practical tips will help you enjoy festive foods and drinks while giving your teeth some extra love along the way.
- Timing matters – While everything is fine in moderation, it helps to eat sweets and other sugary foods with meals, or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.
- Be picky if it’s sticky – when it comes to choosing healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky, and sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to rinse with water and brush carefully.
- Limit your alcohol intake -‘Tis the season for egg nog, Brandy Alexanders and glog! If you choose to imbibe, try to drink water alongside your drinks. And remember: Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth.
- Take it easy on the hard candies – Some candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!)
- Watch out for starchy foods – These are sneaky because they often get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in chips and cakes, take extra care when you floss that night to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.
So, what can you eat? Lots of stuff! Be aware of your choices, follow your meals and snacking with good oral hygiene, and enjoy the holidays!
Oral Health and the Whole Body Connection: What Your Oral Health Has to Do With Your Heart
Sources:https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-11-24/a-root-canals-hidden-beneficiary-the-heart and https://carequest.org/the-relationship-between-oral-health-and-heart-disease/ summarized by ChatGPT
As we continue our Mouth–Body Connection series, this time we’re focusing on the heart and how oral health supports cardiovascular health.
We’ve explained that oral health doesn’t exist in isolation and this is still the same theme when it comes to your heart. When gum disease or dental infections are present, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and contribute to inflammation throughout the body. Over time, this inflammation has been linked to serious heart-related conditions, making oral health an important piece of whole-body care.
What the Research Shows
Studies have identified clear connections between oral health and heart health:
- People with gum disease are about 28% more likely to have a heart attack than those who don’t.
- Oral bacteria can contribute to clogged arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Gum disease is associated with a higher risk of stroke, which can impact vision, mobility, and daily function.
- Oral infections early in life may increase the risk of heart disease later on, reinforcing that oral health matters at every age.
As we age—and especially for those already managing heart-related conditions—keeping inflammation low becomes even more important.
Why Treating Dental Infections Matters
Dental infections don’t always cause constant pain, but they can quietly place stress on the body over time. Recent research has shown that treating infected teeth with root canal therapy may offer benefits beyond the mouth, including:
- Reduced inflammation associated with heart disease
- Short-term improvements in cholesterol levels
- Better blood sugar regulation, which supports cardiovascular health
By removing infection at its source, root canal treatment helps lower the bacterial load the body is fighting which supports balance and healing throughout the system.
The Secret
The secret, however, is avoiding infections, gum disease, and root canals! Remember to come in for your regular dental check ups twice a year, and to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Our Whole-Body Approach to Dental Care
We obviously believe that oral health is a key part of whole-body wellness. Each step taken to prevent or treat gum disease helps reduce inflammation, supports heart health, and contributes to long-term overall health.
Quick Reminder for Delta Dental Patients
Just a quick reminder that starting January 1, 2026, we’ll no longer be in-network with Delta Dental—but you can absolutely continue seeing us. Many Delta Dental plans will still offer out-of-network benefits, and our team will continue submitting claims for you.
This change will enable us to continue offering our Delta Dental patients the same quality of care you’re used to receiving in our office: taking the time to allow you to feel comfortable, to explain treatments, and to give you choices.
Once we’re officially out-of-network (OON) after January 1, we’ll have clearer information on OON pricing for Delta’s several plans, and we’ll share updates as they become available.
If you have the freedom to change plans, open enrollment is happening until January 15. In 2026 we will still be in-network with Cigna and United Concordia.
Insurance changes can feel confusing, but we’re here to help—and we’re committed to making this transition as smooth as possible while continuing the care you know and trust.
You’re Not “Too Difficult” — You’re Just Human
Source: Dr. Harvey Levy https://www.drhlevy.com/publications/
For many people, going to the dentist isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s genuinely frightening. Sweaty palms. Racing heart. Trouble sleeping the night before an appointment. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
In fact, fear and anxiety keep nearly one in three adults from getting regular dental care. Over time, that avoidance can lead to bigger problems, more complex treatment, and even more anxiety. It’s a tough cycle—and one Dr. Harvey Levy has spent much of his career working to break.
For more than 51 years, Dr. Levy has taught dental professionals across the country how to care for patients who are anxious, fearful, or who have been told elsewhere that they’re “too difficult” to treat. His philosophy is simple but powerful: fear is not a flaw, and anxiety deserves compassion—not judgment.
What Makes Dental Anxiety So Common?
Dental fear doesn’t always come from one big traumatic experience. Often, it’s a buildup of smaller things:
- A bad experience years ago
- Fear of pain or needles
- Feeling out of control in the chair
- Sensitivity to sounds, lights, or smells
- Embarrassment about the condition of your teeth
None of this makes you unusual—and it certainly doesn’t make you a “problem patient.”
How We Help Ease Fear in the Dental Chair
For us caring for anxious patients isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of how we practice dentistry every day.
Here’s what that looks like in real life:
- We listen first. Before anything happens, we want to understand your fears, triggers, and past experiences.
- We move at your pace. Appointments aren’t rushed, and you’re always in control.
- We explain what’s happening. Knowing what to expect helps reduce fear of the unknown.
- We offer comfort-focused options. From simple calming techniques to nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation when appropriate, we tailor care to what you need.
- We work as a team. Our entire staff is trained to create a calm, supportive environment—no eye-rolling, no pressure, no shame.
Dr. Levy’s published work and lectures emphasize that when anxiety is properly addressed, patients who once avoided care can finally receive treatment comfortably—and often wonder why they waited so long.
Fear Should Never Be a Barrier to Care
One of the most important lessons Dr. Levy shares with other dental professionals is this: when fear keeps someone out of the dental chair, their oral health—and overall health—suffers. That’s why he believes so strongly in making dental care accessible, compassionate, and safe for anxious patients. This approach is also enthusiastically adopted by his associates, Dr. Niraj Patel and Dr. Ellen Hailemelecot, and by every team member in our practice.
Many people who come to our practice have been turned away elsewhere or told they “need to go to a specialist.” Often, what they really needed was a team willing to meet them where they are.
If This Sounds Like You (or Someone You Care About)
If you’ve been putting off dental care because of fear, anxiety, or past experiences—or if you know someone who has—we want you to know: you are welcome here.
You don’t have to be brave.
You don’t have to explain yourself.
You just have to take the first step.
And we’ll take it from there—together.
Holiday Cheer With Our Team!
As the year wraps up, we just want to say thank you.
Our holiday party was a fun reminder to slow down, celebrate, and enjoy time together. Even without those who couldn’t make it, the smiles, laughter, and memories captured in these photos reflect the heart of our practice: people who genuinely care about one another and the community we serve.
We’re looking ahead to the new year with excitement and gratitude, and we can’t wait to keep caring for you and your smiles in the months ahead. Thank you to our team for the care, teamwork, and good humor you bring every single day.
Last but not least, we want to thank you, our patients, for trusting us, showing up, and sharing a real connection with us. Here’s to another year of healthy smiles, shared moments, and moving forward together.
No Saturday Appointments Starting in January
Starting in January, we’ll no longer be offering Saturday appointments.
Over the past few years we’ve realized that Saturdays haven’t been the best fit for our patients or for our schedule. This change allows us to better support our team, stay consistent with scheduling, and continue providing the focused, high-quality care you expect. We’re happy to help you find a weekday appointment that works for you.
Thank you for your understanding and for being part of our dental family.
Upcoming Give Kids A Smile Day
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we’re excited to participate in the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day once again! For the past 21 years, Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates has been proud to offer free dental care to underserved children in our community, and we can’t wait to do it again this year! The entire day will be dedicated just to this event.
Mark your calendars for Friday, February 6th!
We’ll be providing free cleanings, exams, and x-rays to children from low-income families. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn about taking care of their teeth and gums, and for parents to ensure their child’s smile is healthy and bright!
Plus, every child who attends will receive a goodie bag filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and fun prizes!
We will not be able to see children unless they have an appointment. We look forward to seeing you and helping little smiles shine!