Don’t leave money on the table!

Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuck and team would like to give those patients with flex spending, health savings, or insurance benefits a friendly end of the year reminder that it's high time to schedule your dental visits so you optimize your benefit. You may also want to begin planning for 2011 flex spending.

Don't hesitate to call us today to get in for your cleaning, dental care and whitening for those holiday parties!

Thank you,

-Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

How to care for your Dentures, from Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

Dentures, just like natural teeth, require daily maintenance in order to stay clean and keep bacteria from growing inside of your mouth. Here are a few tips on how to keep your dentures clean and healthy:

• When handling your dentures, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. This way, if you accidentally drop your dentures, they are less likely to break.

• Even if you have a full set of dentures, it’s important to keep your gums and tongue clean. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean your gums and tongue every day.

• Your dentures are not immune from plaque and tartar build-up, so it’s important that you brush your dentures every day. To brush your dentures, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush the surfaces of the dentures being careful not to break or bend the plastic. In between brushings, it’s important to rinse your dentures after each meal.

• Use a gentle cleanser to clean your dentures. Many toothpastes, household cleaners, and mouthwashes can be too hard on your dentures, so it is recommended that you use a mild hand or dish soap to get your dentures clean. Be sure to check for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to choose products that are safe for your dentures, or ask Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk about which products may be best for you.

• When you are not wearing your dentures, they need to be kept moist. Dentures that are not kept in a denture cleaning solution or in water can dry out, lose their shape or even crack and break. Certain styles of dentures require certain soaking solutions, so be sure to ask Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk which solution is best for you.

These simple tips will help you keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy! If by chance your dentures do break, there are special at-home kits that will help you repair them, but it is always best to call Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

"What is LANAP?" Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk explain!

North Miami Beach and Mount Sinani expert dentists, Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, specialize in the early detection of oral cancer. We offer our patients the newest state-of-the-art technology, to ensure that we cater to our patients’ unique dental needs. Today, we would like to share a great video, which discusses LANAP, or the FDA approved Laser-assisted new attachment procedure for the treatment of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about this new periodontal surgery, or if you would like a few tips for improving your gum care or daily oral hygiene habits. Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk can help you take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease.

Are you paying proper attention to your oral health? From Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk know how important it is that you maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing daily, and visiting your dentist every six months. Recently, our team came across this great article from Dr. Oz that discusses new research correlations that have been found between proper oral health, the health of your heart, and more.

Even when you are brushing and flossing teeth regularly, it is inevitable that plaque will build up on the surface of your teeth. However, at first, this plaque can be easily removed with a toothbrush. When you wait a day, or weeks, to brush your teeth, plaque begins to harden and may only be removed by your dentist.

If this plaque and tarter isn’t removed, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis, which is a much more serious disease. Periodontal disease affects not only your mouth, but also the overall health of your body. According to research, “the onslaught of bacteria, immune cells and inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and other cytokines, may directly or indirectly influence or injure tissue to cause or worsen some common chronic diseases.”

There are many conditions that have been linked to periodontal disease, including stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Although there is not enough research to prove any definite cause and effect between these conditions and your oral health, it is important to be aware that good oral care is an overall good habit.

That’s why Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk encourage all of our patients to brush, floss, and visit our office regularly. It is important that you pay proper attention to your oral health, so as to avoid more serious health issues down the road. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.

Ask Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk: Is sedation dentistry right for me?

While Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk strives to offer a comfortable experience for all our patients, we realize that fear or anxiety while visiting the dentist can affect many people anyway. For patients who need extra comfort and relaxation during their dental visit, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Do you feel nervous or stressed about your upcoming dental treatment? Well you’re not alone; in fact, almost 30 percent of the population experiences "dental phobia" when faced with visiting the dentist!

The reasons for patients' fear of the dentist can be numerous, but are usually due to a traumatic experience during their childhood. This overwhelming anxiety can cause one to avoid modern dental care, resulting in poor oral hygiene and possible mouth-related issues such as gum disease.

You may benefit from sedation dentistry if you experience one or more of the following:

* High fear of dental care
* Complex dental problems
* Traumatic dental experiences
* Fear of needles and shots
* Trouble getting numb
* Sensitive teeth

If you suffer from dental phobia, sedation dentistry may be the answer. Please give us a call for more info about sedation dentistry, and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions.