Happy Thanksgiving!

Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy a day filled of friends, family, and great Thanksgiving food!

What are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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 Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk 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 Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk what's on your mind!

Week after week, our team at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk blogs about important topics pertinent to dental care and your well-being, including innovative dental techniques we offer. Today, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our loyal patients and readers: 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 in the coming months? 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!

-Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

Pregnancy and your oral health, from Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

Maintaining good oral health is an vital aspect of your overall well being, especially when you’re expecting. If you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy, schedule an appointment at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, and remember to raise the issue of your oral health at prenatal appointments.

If pregnant, Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk want you to be aware of the following issues:

• Tooth Decay
Excessive morning sickness can also contribute to tooth decay, as the acids in your stomach introduced to the mouth during vomiting wear away the protective enamel coating on your teeth.

• Gingivitis & Gum Disease
This is a major issue. The precursor to gum disease is gingivitis, a condition in which plaque buildup on teeth irritates the gums, making them red, swollen and sensitive. The high levels of hormones in the bloodstream brought on by pregnancy exaggerate your gums’ reaction to irritation from plaque.

• Loose Teeth
Another risk faced during pregnancy is loosening teeth. The large amounts of hormones in your bloodstream can have an unfavorable affect on the bones and ligaments that create the foundation of your teeth, weakening them to the point that teeth may loosen.

The ideal time to schedule an appointment at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk is before becoming pregnant. Our doctors will perform a check-up to determine the state of your oral health and how pregnancy might affect you. We will discuss completing any necessary treatments prior to your pregnancy. Give us a call today!

Government sites kids should check out this summer, from Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk

It may be summer, but that doesn’t mean the learning should stop. Our team at Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk thought we’d point your child to a few helpful websites to keep their minds sharp this summer, courtesy of our friends at More4Kids. Here are 12 helpful websites we think your child will love!

Do you have any great websites for summer learning? Please share them with us on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call. We always enjoy connecting with our patients in between office visits.

Artificial sweeteners and your child’s health

The media always seems to be debating over the health effects of artificial sweeteners, and aspartame is most surely one of the most controversial food additives to ever receive approval by the FDA. Here at Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, we try to provide you with the most up to date information on topics relating to the health of our patients and their loved ones. That is why we want to share with you a few facts that we recently learned in a Huffington Post article.

The many names of aspartame

Did you know that aspartame is now sold under many commercial names, including NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet? Yes, that’s right. When checking nutrition facts, it is important to keep an eye out for all of these ingredients! This sweetener can be found in diabetic foods, jams, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, soda, and even prescriptions and vitamins.

What’s so harmful about aspartame?

With over 10,000 official complaints, aspartame reactions are more commonly reported than that of all other food additives combined. Of these reports, two-thirds consist primarily of headaches, mood alterations, and hallucinations. Aspartame has also been linked to causing weight problems, the metabolism of amino acids, protein structure and metabolism, neuronal function and other primary functions.

How to treat your sweet tooth without the artificial sweets

Determining your nutritional type and the foods that your body craves is key to satisfying sugar cravings. The recommended fructose level is below 25 grams per day, which includes both natural and artificial sweeteners.

Next time you're in for an appointment, let us know if you have any questions about aspartame or on this article. As always, please remember to use a straw if you choose to sip soda, coffee, or other dark colored beverages to take care of that beautiful smile!

Dr. Ressler wants to know: What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?

Memorial Day Weekend, a time when Americans everywhere stop and pay tribute to those men and women who have died in the service of our country.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2010, and for many folks in Miami, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom is sweet relief. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting Florida's open roads or hanging out in your backyard this weekend, our team wants to know all about it!

Our entire team would like to wish you a nice, safe, relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend!

Talkin' dairy with Ressler, Hirschl and Lelchuk DDS

Drs. Lelchuk, Ressler and Hirschl want to know: is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is typically caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw, and results in a loss of teeth and bone. It has been connected in studies to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and, as you probably imagined, osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, give us a call at 786-220-0246. Enjoy your weekend everyone!!

The importance of regular checkups, from Drs. Ressler, Lelchuk and Hirschl

Is your child brushing his/her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s fantastic! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit our office every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day. If your child will be visiting Drs. Ressler, Lelchuk or Hirschl for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Drs. Lelchuk, Hirschl and Ressler can:

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

During an oral exam our doctors will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to visit Drs. Ressler, Lelchuk or Hirschl in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!