May is blooming and so are we! We’re happy to share that we recently revamped our consultation room, and that our waiting room beautification project is in process! We’re also excited to announce a new financing option to help keep dental care accessible to all.
In May, we recognize National Dental Healthcare month and the importance of root canals during Root Canal Awareness week. Additionally, this month we’re honoring our moms and mother figures and our wonderful front desk team.
In This Issue:
- Consultation Room and Office Updates
- Cherry Financing Now Available!
- National Dental Healthcare Month
- Root Canal Awareness Week
- Happy (Belated) Mother’s Day
- Honoring our Front Desk Team
- Recipe of the Month: Caprese Chicken
- YouTube Channel
- Please Leave us a Review!
Consultation Room and Waiting Room Updates
We’re excited to unveil our newly revamped consultation room! Now our patients can discuss treatment options and finances with our treatment plan coordinators or with our doctors with increased privacy. The computer monitor will allow you to see x-rays and diagnostic photos to help you to better understand what’s happening in your mouth.
We have started to work on our waiting room, which has received a bright coat of paint. We apologize for our literal dust – right now we’re awaiting touch ups and the room looks sparse without anything on the walls other than the TV. Soon we’ll receive colorful (and comfortable) chairs, and put the decorations up again. We believe in providing an environment where comfort meets cutting-edge care, and these improvements reflect that commitment.
Cherry Financing Now Available
We’re delighted to let you know that we’re now offering a new financing option through Cherry tailored to make dental care more accessible to you! With short-term loan rates far lower than credit cards, your healthy smile won’t have to wait!
Cherry offers a fast and free application that doesn’t perform a hard credit check. They have many financing options available, some of which include 0% APR. With Cherry, you can finance your treatment and manage payments over time, making it easier and more affordable to get the care you need. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Cherry Financing can benefit you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health
Source of inspiration: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
In May, we recognize National Dental Health Care Month. Did you know that problems in the mouth can affect the rest of the body?
What’s the link between oral health and overall health?
Our mouths are home to about 700 species of microbes. These include germs like bacteria, fungi, viruses and more. Some microbes are helpful. Others can cause problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
Because the mouth is part of both the digestive tract (through which food enters the body) and the respiratory tract (through which air enters the lungs), sometimes germs in the mouth can lead to disease in other parts of our body.
Most often the body’s defenses and good oral care keep germs under control. Good oral care includes daily brushing and flossing. Without good oral hygiene, harmful germ populations can reach levels that might lead to infections, such gum disease and abscessed teeth.
Even if we brush and floss regularly, medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, water pills and antidepressants can lower the flow of saliva (spit). Dry mouth (xerostomia), can increase the risk of disease because it allows germ populations to grow. Saliva helps prevent these germs from overgrowing, and also balances acids, removes food remains, and prevents tooth decay. (Note: dry mouth is NOT part of the normal aging process. If you have symptoms, mention them to your dentist or doctor.)
What conditions in the body can be linked to oral health?
Your oral health might play a part in conditions such as:
- Endocarditis. This is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, called endocardium. It most often happens when germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the blood and attach to certain areas in the heart. Infection of the endocardium is rare. But it can be fatal.
- Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral germs can cause.
- Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis (advanced gum disease) has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
- Pneumonia. Certain germs in the mouth can go into the lungs which can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Certain health conditions also might affect oral health, including:
- Diabetes. Diabetes makes the body less able to fight infection. So diabetes can put the gums at risk. Gum disease seems to happen more often and be more serious in people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular dental care can improve diabetes control.
- HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mouth sores called mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
- Cancer. A number of cancers have been linked to gum disease. These include cancers of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, lung, breast, prostate gland and uterus.
- Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontitis and severe tooth loss has been associated with dementia risk up to 6.4 times higher compared with those who lost fewer teeth. Also, as Alzheimer’s disease gets worse, oral health care tends to get worse.
Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and an immune system condition that causes dry mouth called Sjogren’s syndrome.
It is important to tell your dentist about the medicines you take and to make sure your dentist knows about any changes in your overall health. This includes recent illnesses and surgeries, or ongoing conditions you may have, such as diabetes.
How can I protect my oral health?
To protect your oral health, take care of your mouth every day.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a brush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. Brush your tongue too.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss, a water flosser or other products made for that purpose.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Do it sooner if bristles are worn or flare out.
- See a dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist may suggest visits or cleanings more often, depending on your situation. You might be sent to a gum specialist, called a periodontist, if your gums need more care.
- Don’t use tobacco.
Contact your dentist right away if you notice any oral health problems. We as a dental practice care not only about your smile, but about the health of your entire body. Taking care of your oral health protects your overall health.
Root Canal Awareness Week
Source: https://www.auroradentist.com/root-canal-awareness-week-what-you-should-know/
We’re not sure that saying we’re “celebrating” Root Canal Awareness week is appropriate, but we want to remind you that root canal procedures are very common. Root canals provide patients with an alternative to having a tooth pulled when infection and decay have compromised the integrity of the tooth. We’ll dive into a little more detail here and hopefully dispel any fears and misconceptions you might have about this procedure.
What are Root Canals?
Root canals are the pathways within the tooth found between the pulp (inside part of the tooth) and the tooth roots. These pathways contain nerves and blood vessels. These nerves allow your tooth to feel things like pressure, temperature, and pain.
When the tooth pulp becomes infected with an untreated cavity, it is standard procedure to eliminate the infection and related pain by removing the nerve and the infected tissue from inside the tooth. This is essentially a thorough cleaning of the inside of the tooth. Once this is done, the subsequent healing is also referred to as a “root canal treatment.” A root canal treatment cleans out the infected tooth pulp and disinfects the canals of the tooth.
A root canal treatment can help you avoid the need to have a tooth pulled. Thankfully, root canal treatments can save your infected teeth from being extracted!
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
A person might have to undergo root canal treatment for a few different reasons. They could be needed due to an injury, a deep cavity, or untreated issues from a previous filling. These are some symptoms that might indicate you need treatment (but visit your dentist before you jump to conclusions!):
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
- Severe pain while chewing or biting
- Pimples on the gums (indicating pus)
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth
The telltale sign of needing root canal treatment is increased sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets. However, sometimes, no symptoms are apparent and you won’t know of any issues until you come in for your checkup (which is just one important reason why these checkups are important).
What to Expect
While having root canal treatment doesn’t sound like fun, it can leave you feeling exponentially better than before you came into the office. Most patients who undergo root canal treatment will immediately feel a lessening of the pain that was caused by the infection. Any post-procedure pain and discomfort that is felt is typically easily resolved with over-the-counter medications.
Pain After Root Canal
Once your procedure is done, the pain should subside within a few days and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Once your tooth is done being treated, your dentist may put a crown on top of it to prevent any future damage to an already delicate tooth.
(If you are a patient that is waiting on a permanent filling or crown after your root canal treatment, you should avoid chewing on the treated tooth to prevent any additional pain or damage until the treatment is completed. For proper healing, you should continue to brush and floss as normal. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve occasional inflammation.)
If you suspect you may need root canal treatment, give us a call to make an appointment. Promptly taking care of symptoms when they hit is a crucial part of maintaining your oral health. If your condition worsens, it could lead to more permanent and painful consequences. Root canal treatment is a simple procedure to treat your tooth infection.
Happy (Belated) Mother’s Day
Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there, whether you’re a birth mom, adoptive mom, foster mom, stepmom, fur mom, or any other kind of mom! Mother’s Day is all about celebrating the amazing love, strength, and wisdom you bring into our lives.
To all the moms who kiss boo-boos, wipe away tears, and fill our days with laughter and joy, thank you for being our superheroes with or without capes. Your endless hugs, comforting words, and unwavering support make the world a brighter place.
And let’s not forget those who may be missing their moms or those who are longing to become moms. Your love and longing are felt deeply, and we’re sending you extra love and warmth.
So, here’s to you, moms—know that you are cherished, you are loved, and you are appreciated more than words can say. We hope your day was filled with all the love and happiness you deserve!
National Receptionist Day
We missed this celebration on Facebook and Instagram, but we couldn’t forget to highlight our exceptional front desk coordinators in our monthly newsletter. Our front desk coordinators are more than just receptionists, they are the heartbeat of our practice. They’re the welcoming smiles that greet you, the efficient organizers behind the scenes, and the friendly voices on the phone. They juggle appointments, answer your questions, coordinate your insurance benefits and ensure your visit runs smoothly from start to finish. Here’s to celebrating these multitasking superstars for all they do!
Abbey has been working with us since 2002, and has an amazing talent for remembering our patients’ names and faces. She likes to be resourceful and creative and is always in motion.
Chelsea has been with us since 2018. Her friendly phone personality is matched by her helpfulness in digging deep for a detailed explanation when assisting patients.
Dani has been with us since 1997. She is one of our exceptional team members who is crossed trained in dental assisting and front desk duties. Her infectious laugh brings joy to our office!
Kari joined our front desk team in 2023. She enjoys seeing the smile on a patient’s face after they have finished their appointment with our office.
Oscar joined our team in 2022. He joined our team with 12 years’ experience as a dental assistant and front desk coordinator, and enjoys helping patients achieve the best patient experience.
Sam has been with us since 2009 and became our our assistant practice manager in 2021. With her vivacious personality and “can do” attitude, she will always try to ensure a positive patient experience.
Recipe of the Month: Caprese Chicken
Source:https://www.foodiecrush.com/caprese-chicken-recipe/#recipe
This is a quick 30 minute one pan meal that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts , skinless and boneless
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 6 oz. jar DeLallo Traditional Basil Simply Pesto
- 4-6 slices fresh mozzarella or 6 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
- 8 cherry tomatoes, sliced
- DeLallo balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil , slivered
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400° F
- Use a thin, sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted into the olive oil, add the chicken breasts to the pan, being careful not to crowd.
- Cook on each side until lightly browned and easily released from the pan, about 3-4 minutes each. You’re not trying to cook thoroughly, it will finish up in the oven later.
- While the chicken is cooking, slice the cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil.
- Once the chicken is browned, slather the tops of each chicken breast with the basil pesto, about 1-2 tablespoons per chicken breast. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella and a few slices of tomato.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.