From the Doctor’s Desk

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season and your 2010 is off to a great start! The holidays are always a great time to reconnect with family and friends, and are often filled with parties and events. However, at these festive get-togethers, there typically is no shortage of sweet treats available to consume. If eaten in excess, these treats take a toll on our teeth and gums. While it is OK to occasionally partake in a delicious treat, especially during the holidays, remember to limit sugary snacks and eat nutritious foods that promote a healthy smile.

This issue of Word of Mouth, just in time for New Year's resolutions, includes a cover article on Nutrition and Oral Health. It discusses the leading causes of tooth decay, the potentially harmful foods and beverages to avoid, and how to maintain a diet that promotes oral health. It contains advice on maintaining your health and your smile all year round.

In addition, I can report another successful Halloween candy buyback this year. For the third straight year, you and your families came out to show your support. And we were able to collect 1,800 pounds of candy to be sent to thousands of soldiers and children overseas! Our program has caught on and our efforts expanded this year to include other tri-state dentists. A heartfelt thank you to all those who participated in this wonderful program.

Also, I want to congratulate the winner of the last newsletter's trivia contest-Heather McAlpin. Heather correctly answered our question about Invisalign and won a Zoom! Whitening treatment.

I hope you all are having an excellent year so far, and as always, thank you for taking the time to read Word of Mouth. We hope you will make a resolution to schedule your next appointment with us. We look forward to seeing you!