Why did the guru refuse Novacaine when he went to his dentist?
He wanted to transcend dental medication.
DID YOU KNOW.... you still have time to squeeze in a checkup in 2011?
The holiday season is upon us and many of you have not been in yet to make sure your teeth are ready for the holiday feasts! Please contact us right away to schedule your appointment. We want to make sure you use all of your HSA funds (instead of losing them) and make sure you g3t your checkup before your insurance deductibles resets for 2012. (You can use the on-line scheduler system here.)
In this issue:
Help Us End Hunger in the Upstate this Holiday Season
Holiday Sweets Can Be Tough On Your Teeth
We Are
Working to End Hunger in the Upstate this Holiday Season...
YOU Can Help!
Greenville Smiles Family Dentistry is helping to end hunger for Upstate families in need - and YOU can help us do it! For every new patient scheduled between now and December 31, 2011, Greenville Smiles will donate $15 to Harvest Hope Food Bank in Greenville. We always appreciate your referrals, and now they can help bring a brighter holiday to families in need.
In addition to the monetary donations, Dr. Wilson will also match canned food donations "can for can" for patients and other members of the community that want to donate in-kind to Harvest Hope by bringing canned goods to the office. Please remember to bring some canned goods with you when you come for your check-up between now and the end of the year.
According to Harvest Hope's website, a donation of $15 will feed a family for a whole week. Dr. Wilson believes we can all work together to make a difference in the lives of families who are lacking the basic necessities of life. Some of the items that are most needed include canned vegetables, canned meats and dry goods such as peanut butter and pasta, but also toiletries, diapers and detergent.
"We wanted to do something this year that could help make our community better, so creating a food drive for Harvest Hope seemed like the perfect gift," says Dr. Ronald Wilson. "We want to do our part to make sure everyone has something to smile about."
Thank you for being a patient and thank you for helping us help others!
Holiday Sweets Can Be Tough On Your Teeth
From the pumpkin and pecan pies at Thanksgiving to the candy canes and cocktails at parties and events throughout December, the winter holidays are known for tempting goodies and sweet treats, but that doesn't mean that you have to end up at the dentist with cavities in January.
How do sweet foods and drinks cause cavities?
When you eat sugary foods or drinks, naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar and create acids as a by-product. In turn, these acids wear down the tooth enamel, making it weaker and more susceptible to tooth decay as well as a host of other problems, including gingivitis.
Snacking on sweets throughout the day or during an extended period of time (such as at a holiday party) is especially harmful, since damaging acids form in the mouth every time you eat a sugary snack and continue to affect the teeth for at least 20 minutes afterwards.
You can brush or floss after eating those sugary holiday treats to help reduce bacteria and reduce the acid build-up in the mouth. And if you just can't brush at the party, at least take the time to rinse your mouth thoroughly with neutralizing water and brush when you get home!
Simple Steps for Holiday Oral Care
The best way to avoid cavities while still enjoying your holiday indulgences is to practice good oral hygiene. Here are some tips to help:
* Eating sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods as part of a balanced meal is better than eating them alone. The body produces more saliva to help digest larger meals, which washes away more food and helps neutralize harmful acids before they can attack teeth.
* Foods that take a long time to chew can damage teeth. That's because sticky foods, including nutritious choices like raisins, dates and dried fruit, hold acid against teeth longer than do other foods. Try to limit your consumption of these foods.
* After consuming high-acid food (fruits) or drinks (wine), rinse with water before brushing your teeth to prevent tooth erosion from the acids.
* Keep a toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste handy (for example, in your pocket or purse or store these in the glove compartment of your car) so that you can brush right after eating at holiday parties. An added benefit is that you are less likely to eat after you brush your teeth, so you may end up eating less at parties.
* If you're unable to brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water or chewing sugar-free gum will help to wash away food particles, produce more saliva and neutralize acids in your mouth.
"Brush Up" Your Brushing Technique
Use your holiday vacations to spend more time brushing your teeth. If you're relaxed or have more free time during the day or with your morning or nightly routine, you can use the time to brush more thoroughly and develop better oral care habits.
It isn't necessary to brush vigorously to get your teeth clean. What's important when brushing your teeth is not how hard you scrub, but that you use the proper technique and that you do a thorough job. And that takes time. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two to three minutes to get the most thorough cleaning.
If you get into the habit of brushing for two to three minutes every morning, every night and after every meal during the holidays, you may keep those good habits when your regular routine resumes... Your teeth will thank you for it!
Adapted from an article published by Delta Dental here.
Call 864-244-7135 to schedule your dental consultation
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