Dr. Scheier's 3rd Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back

Would you like to turn your Halloween candy into cash? Dr. Scheier would like to invite all of our patients to join us for our 3rd Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back.

Those kind enough to donate candy will receive a goodie bag, to help keep your teeth clean and sugar free! You may also enter our raffle drawing for a chance to win a brand new iPod nano.

This will be a great opportunity for our patients to prevent cavities, and do something sweet for our troops.

Last year, Dr. Scheier and his staff collected over 700 pounds of Halloween candy for our troops, which nearly doubled our collection from the previous year. This year, help us exceed our goal of over 700 pounds of candy!

All Halloween candy collected will then be shipped to our troops serving both overseas and right on US soil, allowing them a touch of home in support of their efforts.

Candy drop off will begin Monday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 6. We look forward to seeing all of our patients and their families next week. Happy Halloween!

Gummy Tummy!

We know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!



This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

-Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Mitchell Scheier, protecting your child from cavities this Halloween

With Halloween only two weeks away, Dr. Mitchell Scheier knows that there will soon be many tricks and treats! While this festive holiday is full of costumes and fun community activities, it can also be a harmful time for the teeth of young trick-or-treaters in our Havertown, PA neighborhoods.

With all of the sugary, sticky, and chewy treats that are often shared with trick-or-treaters, it is important that you take the necessary steps to prevent cavities this Halloween. Be sure to visit our "Understanding Cavities" blog to learn more about cavities, and how they can be avoided by good oral hygiene habits.

Also, don't forget about Dr. Scheier's Halloween Candy Buy-Back will begin Nov. 1, 2010! This will be a great opportunity for our patients to do something sweet for our troops, and prevent cavities. More details will be announced as the event becomes closer.

Understanding cavities, from Dr. Scheier

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit Dr. Scheier is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

At the practice of Dr. Mitchell Scheier, we just can't believe September is already over. It's fall, the leaves are turning color and the weather is crisp and cool. Today, October 1st, marks the official start of National Dental Hygiene Month, a time for Dr. Scheier (and our staff) to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy beautiful smile.

This year's theme is “Healthy Habits are Easier than You Think,” which focuses on prevention. At Dr. Scheier's office, we know everyone is busy; living a life on-the-go is difficult for most people, but our staff is here to tell you keeping a healthy mouth shouldn’t be.

Your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting our convenient Havertown, PA office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the ADHA's National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, is it time that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Scheier? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment.