Smile! October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

Did you know that October is National Dental Health Month? For our staff at Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, that means only one thing: Reminding you that 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 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 official National Dental Hygiene Month website as well, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment with Dr. Scheier.

Which toothbrush should my child be using?

Dr. Mitchell Scheier will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

What do you LOVE about Havertown?

Dr. Scheier, your Havertown dentist, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Scheier and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Havertown? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway in Pennsylvania?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Havertown, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” in Pennsylvania.

If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call! Have a great week!

Is tooth decay preventable?

Good question - yes, in fact, tooth decay is totally preventable! Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry every six months (or as recommended) for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Dr. Scheier and team may recommend fluoride treatments along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended for children because they "seal" the deep grooves in children's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

Lastly, we encourage you to check out this helpful article about kids and tooth decay, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.

Let us know if you have any questions - we want to hear from you on Facebook as well!

February is American Heart Month

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Scheier. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Scheier says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment, please give us a call today.

Thanks to Invisalign, you can give the gift of a "clearly" amazing smile this holiday!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at the office of Dr. Mitchell Scheier can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation this holiday season, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Is it time to replace your toothbrush?

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Scheier will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Dr. Mitchell Scheier Family and Cosmetic Dentistry if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

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.

Tell Dr. Scheier and team what's on your mind!

Week after week, our creative staff at Dr. Scheier's office blog about important topics pertinent to dental care and your continuing dental treatment with Havertown dentist Dr. Mitchell Scheier.

This week, however, we thought we’d step back and ask: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the field of dentistry? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we'll try to answer any questions you may have!

We hope you all had a great holiday weekend.

Bottled water: The culprit behind tooth troubles?

Dr. Mitchell Scheier and our team want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

Bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the U.S., beating out milk, juice, tap water and other beverages. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health. If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates regularly.

This March, what are you up to? From Mitchell D. Scheier and Associates

Tough to believe, but it’s almost springtime. The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, the sun is warming up and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from baseball fields nearby. Today, Dr. Scheier and team thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for March?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports this year? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all!

You may share your stories or plans with our team here, on our Facebook fan page or by giving us a call!

P.S. While you’re on our Facebook page, become a fan!

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 do you love about Dr. Scheier & Associates?

From your very first visit to our office, Dr. Scheier and our team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Scheier? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for months, we’d love to hear your feedback about how we're doing! Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Happy New Year!