Office
News
Keep
up on the happenings at our office. Here you will find the latest
news about new staff, changes in insurance regulations, special
offers, useful oral hygiene tips and other tidbits.
A
Big Thank You...
...to
all of our satisfied patients who have referred their family and
friends to our office. Nearly all of our wonderful patients come
to us by word-of-mouth. We greatly value your trust in us and
continue our pledge to provide the people you care about with
the finest dental care in Longmont. To show our appreciation,
we are offering a complimentary dental examination and necessary
X-rays on the first visit for anyone you refer. Click
here for details.
Good
Mouthkeeping
Winter 2007
The
Doctor's Corner...
What
a winter! A love hate relationship with the snow; we want the
snow for the water content, but don't want the hassle of driving
in it. I've been having fun plowing with my 1957 Cub tractor.
Our golden retriever loves to play in the snow too.
A
lof ot new research is connecting periodontal (gum) disease with
heart problems. We will start recommending more aggressive treatment
in the office in patients with active disease. If you have deeper
pockets, and have not been root planed and scaled recently, you
will hear that information. The hygienists, Dr. Kelson, and myself
will do our best to explain the rationale and health benefits
from this additional treatment if you are a candiate.
If you have thought about whiteneing
your teeth, please take advantage of the special offer (below).
Dr. Bob
Laughing
Gas...
A
successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
Teeth
Whitening Special!
Get
your upper teeth whitened at the regular price and get your lower
teeth whitened for FREE! We make a custom bleaching kit for your
teeth, for you to use at your convenience, and provide free follow-up
visits to monitor your progress. This Winter Whitening Special
ends March 31st. Call Julie at 303-776-3320 for a convenient appointment.
Dental
Health Tips - Toothbrush Disinfection
After
an illness, your toothbrush should be renewed, either by discarding
it and starting new, or by disinfecting the old one. According
to the CRA Foundation, the most successful and simple method for
disinfecting a toothbrush is to clean it in your dishwasher in
the utensil rack. This type of cleaning:
- Reduced bacterial loads of up to 4 million
organisms per toothbrush to less than 50:
- Removed visible debris from bristle tufts,
neck, etc;
- Did not cause visible damage to the brush (unlike
some less effective methods such as microwaving the brush)
Trouble
Sleeping?
If you or your spouse have trouble
sleeping at night, wake up tired or fatigued, or snore, please
call the office at 303-776-3320. We will do a short evaluation
to determine if you might have sleep apnea or be a candidate for
a snoring appliance. There is no charge for this evaluation.
A
Big Thank You...
to
all of our patients who have referred thier family and friends
to Dr. McCarty. Anyone who refers a new patient to us
will automatically be entered in a monthly drawing for a restaurant
gift certificate. Congratulation to Lynda Atwood, Shirley
Roberts, Tom Howell, Anna Harber, Sharon Hewitt, Anne McMullen
and Don Haislip, the drawing winners from July 2006 - January
2007.
Good
Mouthkeeping
Winter 2006
The
Doctor's Corner
Goodbye
2005, hello 2006. Once again I am thankful that I live in Colorado.
Man-made problems aside, it seemed like 2005 had an unusually
large number of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, fires,
hurricanes, the tsunami, etc.). I hope that if any of your family
or friends were affected, that they are well into the recovery
stage.
I
don't forsee any exicting new developments in dentistry this year.
However, we will continue to strive to provide the same quality,
caring, comfortable dentistry that you expect and deserve. May
2006 be a great year for you!!
Dr.
Bob
Laughing
Gas
Man:
Darling, your teeth remind me of the stars.
Woman: Because they shine and sparkle?
Man: No, because they come out at night.
"Happiness
is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him
catch his hand in the drill."
Johnny Carson
Teeth
Whitening Special
Get
our upper teeth whitened at the regular price and get your lower
teeth whitened for FREE! We make a custom bleaching kit for your
teeth, for you to use at your convenience, and provide free follow-up
visits to monitor your progress. This Winter Whitening Special
ends February 28th. Call Linda or Julie at 303-776-3320 for a
convenient appointment.
Dental
Health Tips
Signs of Gum Disease
- Bleeding
guns (even when you brush)
- Red,
swollen or tender gums
- Loose
teeth
- Persistent
bad breath
- Receding
gums
- Teeth
or dentures fit together differently when biting
If
you have any of these symptoms, call 303-776-3320 for an appointment
with Dr. McCarty
Forget
Dentures - Grow Your Own Teeth
Are
the days of dentures numbered? Growing new adult teeth to replace
lost or diseased ones may become possible in the future. Scientists
at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
used human adult stem cells from extracted molars to grow new
tooth buds that are implanted into animals' jaws and develop into
new teeth.
Another
research team, directed by Kenneth Sharpe, head of carnio-facial
development at King's College in London, grew new teeth in mice
from nondental mouse cells. The team plans dental experiments
wth himan cells, Sharpe said, but the procedure won't be available
to the public for at least five years. (From the Journal of Dental
Research)
A
Big Thank You...
to
all of our patients who have referred their family and friends
to Dr. McCarty. Anyone who refers a new patient to us
will automatically be entered in a monthly drawing for a restuarant
gift certificate.
Congratulations
to Ana Chavez, Erin Schnieder and Leslie Raymond, our drawing
winners for Octover, November and December! The winner of our
No Cavity Club drawing was Hannah Morneau, who received Luna the
Seal for her prize.
Good
Mouthkeeping
Autumn 2005
The
Doctor's Corner
Another
summer has come and gone and I'm behind on getting this newscard
out. The Grand Canyon rafting trip was a great adventure. An unexpected
highlight was seeing the California Condors that have been released
there. I was hoping to be able to introduce an associate to the
practice, but the search continues. May your holidays be fun and
invigorating... and not too stressful this year.
Insurance
Benefits 2005... Use Them or Lose Them
We
want to remind those of you with incomplete dental treatment to
take advantage of unused insurance benefits. As you may know,
any of your unused benefits are lost at the end of your benefit
year (for most people, December 31).
We
have a convenient financial program that can be used in conjunction
with your insurance benefits. This can help reduce your out-of-pocket
expenses, which is especially helpful at this time of year.
If
you would like more information about your remaining insurance
coverage or our financial program, please call our office at 303-776-3320
and ask for Jenna (Financial Secretary) or Julie (Office Manager).
Health
Tip: Pregnancy and Gum Disease
"Pregnancy
gingivitis" commonly occurs in the second or third month
of pregnancy and can become more severe up through the eighth
month. Hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy affect oral
bacteria and may cause increased swelling and bleeding of gums.
These bacteria can travel via the blood stream from the mouth
to the uterus. They produce particular chemicals that can induce
labor, resulting in premature birth. Every year, as many as 45,000
premature births in the U.S. may be linked to gum disease; more
than those caused by smoking and alcohol use combined. Continuing
research supports the link between gum disease and premature/low
birth weight babies. To help prevent pregnancy gingivitis, encourage
expectant mothers to take especially good care of their gums by
flossing and getting oral health exams and cleanings.
Laughing
Gas: "The Case of the Missing Denture"
A
dentist once reported receiving a frantic phone call from an embarrassed
patient, Nearly hysterical, the caller reported that her full
dentures were missing and needed an immediate appointment. After
rearranging his schedule, the dentist invited her in that afternoon
for impressions and he immediately alerted the laboratory of the
impending action. Two hours later the dentist received a second
call advising him that the problem had been resolved. It seems
that the woman's toddler daughter had taken the dentures to school
for "Show and Tell."
Thank
You
To
all of our patients who have referred their family and friends.
Anyone who refers a new patient to us will automatically be entered
in a monthly drawing for a restaurant gift certificate. Congratulations
to Patricia Adler, Herman Roybal and Les Scott, our drawing winners
for the last three months.
Good
Mouthkeeping
February - March 2005
The
Doctor's Corner
Spring
will be here in anohter month, and even though we complain about
our winters, I still feel lucky to live in Colorado. What prettier
sight is ther than Long's Peak and Mt. Meeker covered with fresh
white snow, with the blue sky as the background? That's the view
we get to see every day at the office?
Hopefully,
a lot of that snow will make it into the Colorado River. I've
been invited to raft the Grand Canyon, and am working out now
to be ready to row for 18 days. As always, please don't hestitate
to call the office any time you have a dental problem or question.
Dr.
Bob
Laughing
Gas
A
dental office had been having an unusually busy day, and ran out
of local anaesthetic just before the last extraction for the day
was to be performed.
Keen
to ensure a less painful extraction from the patient's wallet,
the dentist gave his assistant a very large needle. He instructed
her to jab it firmly into the patient at the opposite ent to that
from which the tooth was to be extracted, when he gave her the
signal. It all happened in an instant. The patient and pliers
were in place. The signal was given, the needle driven well home,
and with a quick tug out came the tooth.
The
dentist said, "Hurt much?"
The
patient hesitated. "Didn't even feel it come out... but the
roots were sure in deep."
Get
on the Stick (The tooth stick, that is)
In
Africa, the secret behind a bright smile often lies in a simple
piece of wood - the tooth stick. In use since Babylonian times,
it is still popular in parts of Africa, Asia andthe Middle East.
Taken from the saltbush, or toothbrush tree, when the stick is
chewed the fibers at the end become loose, forming a rough "brush".
Continued chewing dislodged particles between the teeth and stimulates
circulation in the gums. Chewing also increases saliva production,
acting as a natural mouthwash that rinses away bacteria and creates
a poor environment for them. So, if you are camping or hunting
and forget your toothbrush - get on the stick.
Keep
your Heart Clear
A
study published in the journal Stroke reports an association
between missing teeth and clogged heart arteries. Missing teeth
make it more difficult to chew healthy foods that can help prevent
heart disease and other chronic conditions. People with missing
teeth should be sure to eat enough vegetables and ohter fiber-rich
foods which supply beneficial soluble fiber. Good sources are:
oatmeal, brow rice, whole wheat, peas, beans, oranges, grapefruits,
apples, melons, broccoli, carrots.
Ask
about your options for tooth replacement.
A
Big Thank You...
to
all of our patients who have feferred their family and friends
to Dr. McCarty. Anyone who refers a new patient to us will automatically
be entered in a monthly drawing for a restaurant gift certificate.
Congratulations
to Kelly Kaufman ad Sheila Kilingsworth, our drawing winners for
the last two months!
Good
Mouthkeeping
September 2004
The
Doctor's Corner
Well,
another summer has flown by. Personally, I've enjoyed the cooler
weather and rains. Our pasture is greener than it has ever been
at this time of year, and the horses love it. At the start of
August, ten of us took a family trip to Russia; a cruise from
St. Petersburg to Moscow. The area of Russia we saw is beautiful,
but it may be years before the economy recovers and a middle class
develops. Another trip that made me glad that I'm an American!
Please call if you have any dental needs or questions. As always,
we will "bug" you to come in regularly for examinations
and cleanings.
Dr.
Bob
Announcement
for Linda's Hygiene Patients:
We
knew it had to happen eventually, although it arrived more quickly
than we expected - Linda has started her maternity leave! She
will be back after the Holidays (January 2005). We all wish her
a smooth pregnancy and delivery, and a beautiful baby. We will
miss her, as we are sure you will, and can't wait for her to come
back and start cleaning your teeth again. Of course, our other
hygienists will help you with anything you need between now and
next year.
How
to Relieve Dental Anxiety
Do
you ever get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist?
You might be worrying unnecessarily. With dentistry's many advances,
diagnosis and treatment gets more sophisticated and comfortable
all the time.
It's
often best to share your anxiety. If you're tense or anxious,
tell your dentist and the dental staff. Getting your concerns
out in the open will let your dentist adapt the treatment to your
needs.
Try
to choose a time for your dental visit when you're less likely
to be rushed or under pressure. If the sound of a drill bothers
you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen
to your favorite music.
These
positive techniques work wonders for many. Try them on your next
dental visit. (This dental tip is excerpted from
an article found at www.ada.org)
Pediatricians:
Pull the Plug on Pop in School
The
American Academy of Pediatrics wants to drain soft drinks from
schools, and it's going to the source to do it. In a policy statement
published in the January issue of the journal, Pediatrics,
the group urges school districts to restrict the sale of sweetened
drinks to help protect children from health problems including
tooth decay, enamel erosion and obesity.
The
statement urges pediatricians to educate school administrators,
parents and patients about the risks of drinking sweetened soft
drinks; advocate for the creation of a school nutrition advisory
council including dentists and other health professionals; and
call for public comment before school districts enter into soft-drink
"pouring rights" contracts.
The
complete policy statement is available online at www.aap.org.
(This article is reprinted from a 2004 issue of
Dental Practice Report.)
Laughing
Gas
A
patient sits in the dental chair with severely fractured front
teeth. After discussing how they will be restored and what the
fee would be the patient says, "Before we begin, Doc, I gotta
know: Will I be able to play the trumpet when you are finished?"
The
dentist replies, "Sure you will!" The patient says,
"Great - I couldn't play a note before!"
***
Thank
You to our wonderful patients who keep sending their family and
friends to us for dental care. Because of you, more people in
Longmont are enjoying the benefits of healthier teeth and gums. |
