Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk Share Pool Safety TIPS

Summer is finally here, and with summer comes lots of swimming! Our team at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk found some helpful pool safety tips that we’d like to share with you, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Pediatricians.

* Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

* Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

* Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

* Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

* Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.

* Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.

* Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

Have more questions about your children and their safety this summer? Give us a call!

What do you love about summer?

Summer is finally here, and the team at the office of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Our team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Skipping Dental Visits and your Oral Health

With these tough economic times, delaying dental treatment might sound like a way to cut back on spending. But in fact, avoiding dental treatment could lead to oral health problems that require more expensive and complex procedures down the road. For example, by skipping regular checkups and cleanings you could find yourself in need of a root canal or tooth extractions. It’s important to remember the saying that dentists have preached for a long time, “You can pay a little now, or pay a lot later.”

Our team at the office Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk encourage you to read this recent article from the St. Petersburg Times that discusses the topic of skipping dental visits and how they can prove to be costly in more detail.

June is National Smile Month!

According to the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk to support National Smile Month this June.

Show off your pearly whites by posting your favorite smile photos on the wall of our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing what you share!

Understanding Gum Disease with Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

-Tobacco smoking or chewing
-System-wide diseases such as diabetes
-Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
-Bridges that no longer fit properly
-Crooked teeth
-Fillings that have become defective
-Pregnancy

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, call us immediately:

-Gums that bleed easily
-Red, swollen, tender gums
-Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
-Persistent bad breath or bad taste
-Pus between your teeth and gums
-Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
-Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
-Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Good oral hygiene at home is essential to keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you have any additional questions about gum disease, please give our office a call.