Compliments of Dr. Sam Sample
News from the office of:
READY, SET, STRAIGHTEN!
Dr. Sam Sample
It’s summer – the season of bright, white
t-shirts and smiles to match! If your smile
isn’t summertime bright, please call us
to find out how easy it can be to lighten
up, with fast, safe and effective dentistsupervised teeth whitening.
Many patients find that the summer is
a great time to squeeze in that dental
appointment they didn’t have time for
earlier in the year. Households with
children on summer holidays especially
appreciate scheduling in dental and
other appointments for the kids, not
having to interrupt school time.
Whether you’re due for a regular re-care
appointment, have a specific dental
concern you’d like us to look at, or if
you’ve been wondering about cosmetic
improvements — from tooth whitening
to a complete smile makeover — please
call us. We’ll be pleased to answer all
your questions.
See you soon!
All the best,
Sam Sample
Dr. Sam Sample and Team
As adults, we may be under the impression that orthodontics
are just for kids, and that it’s too late for us to have our own
teeth straightened. As your dental office, we’re here to let you
know that, just as you’re never too old to want to look and feel
your best, you’re certainly never too old to improve your smile!
While straight, perfectly
aligned teeth are an integral
component of a beautiful
smile and influence the social
and professional impression
you project, they can also
improve your physical health
and comfort. In fact, if your
lower and upper teeth are not
currently aligned properly, you
may be experiencing problems
chewing your food, or may be
suffering from headaches, jaw
pain and other problems that
can be linked to your bite.
Orthodontic treatment may
help prevent tooth decay,
gum disease, destruction of
the bone that holds teeth
in place, and chewing and
digestive difficulties. Untreated
orthodontic problems can
cause abnormal wear of tooth
surfaces, inefficient chewing
function, excessive stress on
both gum tissue and the bone
that supports the teeth, and/
or misalignment of the jaw
joints, sometimes leading to
chronic headaches or pain in
the face or neck. Straighter
teeth are also easier to brush
and floss, meaning that you
should expect less decay
and healthier gums too.
The good news about braces
and a big change from when we
were kids is twofold. First, the
stigma of wearing braces has
all but disappeared from today’s
society – no matter what your
age – and secondly, today’s
orthodontics include removable,
“invisible” braces that provide
an excellent option for patients
looking for a discreet teethstraightening system.
Please call today to find out how
today’s dentistry can give you
the beautiful smile you deserve!
GEN
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2
BETWEEN YOU
AND ME…
Good oral health and a beautiful smile make a difference
in so many ways – physically, psychologically, socially
and professionally. To perfect your dental health however,
you need to maintain a regular schedule of dental visits,
where we have open and honest conversations about
your dental needs, wants and concerns.
If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while or you haven’t
visited our office as frequently as you should, we’d
like to find out why. Could it be for one of the
following reasons?
You haven’t been to the dentist for so long, you’re
now afraid you’ll get “in trouble”!
Some patients steer clear of the dentist because they
think we might chastise them for neglecting their
mouths for so long. If you fear my reaction to the
condition of your teeth and gums, please relax. My job
isn’t to judge you and your dental history, it’s to bring
your mouth back to health and to restore your smile.
And believe me, your smile can be fixed, no matter
how bad you think it is!
You break out in a cold sweat at the thought of
even entering the dental office.
If the mere thought of having dental work done
causes your heart to pound and your palms to sweat,
rest assured that you’re not alone!
There are no hard statistics on it, but it’s estimated
that millions of North Americans are so fearful of going
to the dentist that they simply don’t go. And of course,
the trouble with dental problems is that they don’t go
away – and usually get worse – if you ignore them.
We encourage you to share your anxieties with us.
Getting your concerns out in the open will let us
adapt any treatments to your needs. In fact, there are
methods that may not have been around when you
last went to the dentist, that make dentistry more
comfortable than you can imagine!
You’re embarrassed about your bad breath.
We welcome you, and your halitosis too! In fact,
your dental office should be your first stop for any
breath concerns.
We’ll discuss all the possible causes of halitosis, and
what we can do to address it. The first step towards
fresher breath is to make an appointment to talk
about it today.
PAGE 2
You have less-than-stellar dental hygiene habits.
If brushing and flossing aren’t regularly-scheduled
events on your daily calendar, come in so we can talk
about different dental techniques that might make
them more inviting. For example, we can demonstrate
flossing aids that you may find easier and more
effective than what you’ve tried in the past.
Your lifestyle is reflected in your smile.
A big fan of red wine? A heavy smoker? Have an
eating disorder? Multiple oral piercings? Many daily
habits and lifestyle issues can affect not only the color
and condition of your teeth, but the condition of your
gums too. Please allow us to evaluate the effects of
your lifestyle on your teeth, and take steps to repair
any damage already done, fix up your teeth and gums,
and take steps to prevent further damage.
Cost.
Dentistry is not cheap, that’s a fact. However, the
longer you leave dental problems, the bigger – and
more expensive – they could be to eventually fix. We’ll
be happy to work on a payment plan that will allow
you to regain your beautiful, healthy smile without
breaking your budget.
Have we missed the reason that might be
in-between you and your decision to call for a
dental appointment? If so, please let us know!
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
“PLEASE COMPLETE
THIS FORM”
Despite expectations of a paperless society by now, there seems to be
more paper than ever these days. But whether it’s a printed form or an
online version, you’ve no doubt been asked to complete a medical history
form. Why is this type of paperwork so important in a dental office?
The answer is twofold:
1. T
o recognize the mouth-body connection and the impact
your general health – and the medications you’re taking
to maintain your health – take on your oral health; and
2. T
o allow us to attend to our patients with the safest,
most effective treatments with minimized risk of
possible side-effects.
It’s imperative that you answer the questions on your
medical history honestly, even if they seem to have no
obvious connection to your dental health. Some questions
may include:
• How is your current health? Do you have any allergies?
Are you pregnant? Have you had surgery or been
hospitalized since your last visit?
• What medications, vitamins, supplements (even
if they’re herbal supplements), skin treatment
medications, etc. – are you taking?
• W
hat is your family history of periodontal disease,
diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.?
• H
ave you been advised to take antibiotics before
receiving dental treatment?
Please take the time to complete your medical history
form in full, and keep us updated on your medical
condition(s) and any treatments or drugs you are on. Some
drugs can interact with medications that we may need to
prescribe for your dental work, so it’s important that we
know which drugs you are taking and in what doses.
By keeping us updated on any changes to your medical
status, we’ll be able to treat your dental needs safely and
appropriately. Have any further questions? Don’t be shy –
call us anytime!
BEHIND THE SMOKESCREEN
Tobacco, whether smoked (cigarettes, cigars, pipes), chewed or even filtered
through a hookah water pipe, is associated with a multitude of health issues, but
did you know that it is also linked to the following specific dental health problems?
• Oral cancer.
• G
um disease, receding gums, tooth decay and
hot/cold sensitivity.
• Bad breath.
• Lengthier healing following dental surgery.
• Diminished sense of taste and smell.
• Reduced success with periodontal treatments.
• Greater risk of tooth loss.
• Lower chance of dental implant success.
Smoking also takes a toll on your outward appearance,
in many cases aging you prematurely. Smoking will:
• D
arken your teeth. Once tobacco stains seep into the
pores of your teeth, no amount of cleaning will help.
You’ll need to have your teeth professionally whitened,
or even consider the application of porcelain veneers
to cover up the deep stains.
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2
• C
reate a “long in the tooth” appearance. Smokers
experience an increased risk of the formation of
calculus, 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 while also
contributing to potential tooth loss.
• W
rinkle your skin. Smoking reduces collagen
formation in the face while nicotine reduces skin
thickness, resulting in reduced skin elasticity and the
appearance of premature aging.
We’d be happy to support you in your plans to quit
smoking. In the meantime, please come in and let us
evaluate your dental condition, conduct an oral cancer
exam and suggest ways to halt the effects of tobacco on
your oral and overall health.
PAGE 3
SUPPORTING A
STRONG SMILE
PULLING
TOGETHER
FOR DENTAL
HEALTH
In the old days, a persistent toothache usually meant an unwelcome
showdown with a scary-looking instrument designed to yank the
tooth out and with it, hopefully the cause of the pain.
Today’s dentists have many more
patient-friendly ways to treat a
toothache, and usually look at
tooth extraction as a last resort.
However, necessary reasons for
extracting a tooth may include:
Infection. In the case of severe
tooth decay, abscess or infection
that extends into the pulp of
the tooth, where the problem
can’t be solved via antibiotics
or a root canal, the removal of
the tooth may be necessary to
prevent the spread of infection.
Extremely Loose Teeth. If
gum disease has resulted in
a deterioration of the gums
and unstable teeth, we may
recommend pulling the teeth,
and treating the area to prevent
the spread of infection.
Orthodontics. In some cases a
patient’s teeth may be too big for
their mouth, causing crowding, or
they may simply have too many
teeth and not enough room. In
those cases, we may need to
remove a tooth to make room
for the others to fall into place.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction. Wisdom
teeth typically erupt once all other
teeth are in place and there is
no more room in the mouth to
accommodate four more back teeth.
The wisdom teeth can become
impacted, and necessitate removal.
Again, if you’re suffering dental
pain, don’t automatically assume
we’ll need to pull your tooth.
We’re here to help you achieve
the healthiest smile possible,
complete with as many of your
natural teeth as possible!
Building and preserving strong bones
and teeth should be a priority for
everyone, at every age. Consuming
enough calcium and involving
yourself in physical activities,
especially weight-bearing physical
activities, are two lifestyle habits
that are especially important in
maintaining bone health and fighting
off osteoporosis as we age.
From a dental perspective, recognize
that healthy bones mean a healthy jaw,
and that a healthy jaw is paramount
in supporting teeth and the quality of
a smile. While incorporating weightbearing physical activity into your
exercise plan is a great way to keep
bones healthy, keep in mind that
sometimes those same activities can
also contribute to tooth damage. For
example, even though tooth enamel is
the strongest material in your body, it
can actually be damaged by clenching
the teeth hard – something weight-lifters
unconsciously inflict upon themselves
when straining to raise their weights.
Please talk to us about your exercise
regime so we can determine
if a mouthguard
would be a wise
addition to your
athletic protection.
Main Street Dental
Dr. Sam Sample
25 Main Street West
Suite 202
City, State, ZIP
Phone: (000) 555-1234
Fax: (000) 555-5678
Christine Dental Hygienist
Dr. Sam Sample
Caitlin Dental Assistant
Gwen Treatment Coordinator
Office Hours:
Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri.: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sat.: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Our Services Include:
• General Dentistry
• Emergency Dental Care
• Bad Breath Advice & Treatment
• Tooth Whitening
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Denture Fittings
• Dental Implants
• Bonding & Veneers
• Crowns & Bridges
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. 2014, Phone: (800) 795-8021, Website: www.dentalhealthnews.org
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