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.

September is National Gum Care Month

Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be difficult to recognize. Many people do not recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is underway to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we at Dr. Mitchell Scheier's office wanted to do our part to help spread the word!

Early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as the heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease. These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Could you be a teeth whitening addict?

Havertown dentist Dr. Mitchell Scheier knows that people want to look and feel great, and at a time when a set of sparkling white teeth might mean the difference between getting a job or a promotion, more and more folks are excessively trying to whiten their teeth and are running into problems, including irritation and bleeding gums, excessive teeth sensitivity and even translucent teeth.

At Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, we are proud of offer the latest in in-office whitening, including Zoom!® Teeth Whitening (as seen on Extreme Makeover) and other services.

Please give us a call at 610-449-4646 for more info about our professional teeth whitening treatments and read more about teeth whitening addiction from our friends at WebMD.

Cavities and you, from Dr. Mitchell Scheier

Havertown dentist Dr. Mitchell Scheier knows one word nobody wants to hear when they visit Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates is "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 anyway? 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 Dr. Scheier, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities at home:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (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 Dr. Scheier every six months for a check-up (or as recommended by our office)

We hope this helps! Give us a call at 610-449-4646 for more information about cavities or your oral health! Enjoy the rest of your week!

June is National Smile Month!

Our friends at the American Dental Association discovered that a person's smile was important than their eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature. After all, there's reason why Americans spend as much as they do on cosmetic dentistry: folks want to look (and feel) great.

That brings us to June, also known as National Smile Month. It's a great time for Dr. Scheier to remind all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to Advanced Dental Concepts.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
* Visit our office regularly (usually every six months).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at 610-449-4646. Get out there and share your beautiful smiles with the world!

Invisalign tips with Dr. Scheier

Many people know that Invisalign is a fantastic solution to traditional braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, however, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively.

Regular - and, of course, exceptional oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Scheier wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - The aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, please give us a call!

Happy Friday!!

Let Dr. Scheier know how he's doing!

Dr. Scheier & Associates believe that the best approach to dental care is prevention. It would be our pleasure to include you among our group of friends and provide you with the best possible dental care. Our passion is designing an incredible smile that will give you the confidence for success in both your personal and professional life.

Whether you've visited Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how Dr. Scheier is doing! There are lots of ways you may share your thoughts about our practice, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Scheier create more beautiful smiles in Havertown and surrounding areas!

You may write a review here.

Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Are you visiting Dr. Scheier regularly?

Our staff wants to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s fantastic. But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit us at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day and flossing. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. During the visit, Dr. Scheier can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam Dr. Scheier will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates in the last six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Scheier wants to know: What helps you relax at our office?

At Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, we know not everyone is always thrilled to visit their dentist. But our staff and Dr. Mitchell Scheier strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We believe that the best approach to dental care is prevention. As a new patient you will see the quality and feel the gentle dental care we provide in our new state-of-the-art dental office. Our passion is designing an incredible smile that will give you the confidence for success in both your personal and professional life.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our practice that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly professional staff? Is it something about Dr. Scheier?

Post your thoughts here or on our Facebook page!

Dr. Scheier, helping calm children's fears and anxieties

Our staff at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates knows that many children fear visiting the dentist. Recently, we ran across a great article on helping kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Dr. Scheier and our team excel at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our young patients look forward to their next visit!

Has your child visited Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates in the last six months? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment by calling 610-572-1546! We look forward to seeing you and have a great weekend!

Gum disease and YOU, from Dr. Mitchell Scheier

It’s easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing, Dr. Scheier says. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position
• Any change in the way partial dentures fit

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates. Dr. Scheier can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

Dr. Mitchell D. Scheier & Associates, supporting National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Monthh. Every March, Dr. Mitchell Scheier and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Scheier and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

At Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, we know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in our neck of the woods.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new health favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

Access your account—any day, any time—at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds great and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of Dr. Mitchell Scheier's patients are saying about this innovative service:

"Like most patients I am a busy person with many obligations. It is good to have a reminder about my appointment times so I don't cause others to wait for me. I love having the billing information at my fingertips. I can have my payment ready." ~ Kathryn C.

"Appointment date/time check & confirmation." ~ Patty K.

"Text reminders is a great idea. I like the ability to see appointments, benefits, etc all in one place." ~ Chris B.

"It makes everything so much more accessible and EASY!!!" ~ Kelly L.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Dr. Scheier wants to know: What do you love about your community?

Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, located in Havertown and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our fantastic patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Scheier and our staff thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about our community? Is there a local event you like to attend every year? Perhaps you have a favorite Pennsylvania getaway? Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Havertown and our area, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.”

And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Social media at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates

At the office of Dr. Mitchell Scheier, we embrace new technology and love all forms of new media. And we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Scheier and team are taking a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

Zoom!® your way to a brighter smile at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates!

With Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates, a whiter smile is one just one visit away! ZOOM!® Smile Whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom!® treatment Dr. Scheier and our professional team will send you home with an at-home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom!® Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Find out more about Zoom!® Smile Whitening on our web site; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile contact Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates for an evaluation!

Ask Dr. Scheier: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Dr. Scheier and our team at Dr. Scheier & Associates work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Scheier & Associates can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from treatment.

What are patients saying about Dr. Scheier?

Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you liked best about our Dr. Scheier and our team at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates. Well, we got back some pretty great reviews, and thought we'd share a few with you today! We love getting patient reviews, so please feel free to add more! Have a great rest of the week!

"Mitch's knowledge about dentistry, his commitment to preserving natural tooth wherever possible, his incomparable integrity." ~ Bonnie C.

"I have been seeing him for years and he knows me very well.He has never given me bad advice. Very knowledgeable." ~ Jill K.

"great customer service, friendly staff, professional & knowledgeable, beautiful facility." ~ Carol T.

"I love how Dr. Scheier explains everything in terms and language that I can understand. He is patient, kind and knowledgeable! From the first step into his beautiful office, speaking with his helpful staff to being treated like family my experience was unquestionable. Hands down ... THE BEST!" ~ Anonymous

"I trust my dentist." ~ Donna D.