Winter 2009 /2010Produced to improve your dental health and awareness “We Care About Your Smile”

Increase your Smile Power in 2010. Ask us about Tooth Whitening!

Many of us have suffered from the pain and discomfort of canker sores (aphthous ulcers). These shallow round red edged grey or white coated ulcers are usually found on the inside of your lips, and cheeks or at the base of your gums or under your tongue. Anyone can get canker sores, but women, teenagers and young adults in their 20’s get them more often. And boy, do they hurt!

The exact cause of canker sores is unknown. However stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores as is certain foods, including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables. Some complex canker sores may be caused by an underlying health condition such as an impaired immune system, nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron deficiency and gastrointestinal tract disease.

Allergies to foods and other substances have been postulated as being triggers for canker sore breakouts, as is hormonal changes

Wishing You And Your Family The Very Best Wishing You And Your Family The Very Best Holiday Season!

Peace, hope, and joy are sentiments that can never be expressed often enough. Peace, hope, and joy are sentiments that can never be expressed often enough. Another is our heartfelt gratitude to you, our patients, who have made the growth Another is our heartfelt gratitude to you, our patients, who have made the growth of our practice possible through your loyalty and friendship.

It is truly astonishing to think how quickly yet another holiday season has arrived. It is truly astonishing to think how quickly yet another holiday season has arrived. Before we all get too caught up in what seems like an endless fl urry of activity, we’d Before we all get too caught up in what seems like an endless fl urry of activity, we’d like to take a moment to refl ect on the year that has just passed. There’s no doubt in like to take a moment to refl ect on the year that has just passed. There’s no doubt in the minds and hearts of our professional team that the bonds of friendship and trust the minds and hearts of our professional team that the bonds of friendship and trust we share with our practice family is quite special. We are honored by your ongoing we share with our practice family is quite special. We are honored by your ongoing loyalty and patronage and look forward to sharing another year with you.loyalty and patronage and look forward to sharing another year with you.

Please accept my very special holiday thank you for your continued faith in our Please accept my very special holiday thank you for your continued faith in our professionalism and for allowing us to treat your dental needs.

Yours in good dental health,

Alan L. Mazer, DMD

in women. The use of products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent found in most toothpaste and mouthwash formulations, may be associated with an increased risk of canker sore outbreaks.

Canker sores are not contagious and will usually heal within 2 weeks without any treatment. However to ease the pain, you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Topical medicines such as Orajel®, Orabase or Zilactin-B or rinsing with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl®

Allergy liquid (every 4-6 hours) may temporarily relieve the pain. Some people think sucking zinc lozenges, taking vitamin C or vitamin B complex or taking a lysine supplement helps canker sores heal faster.

Contact our office, if you are experiencing severe pain, if the sore lasts longer than 2 weeks or if you have a fever along with the sore. We are always here to answer all your dental questions.

Thank you to all our patients and friends who contributed so generously to our Island Harvest Food Drive.

Yours in good dental health,

fromthedentist

Dentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally SpeakingDentally Speaking......... with Dr. Alan L. Mazer .........

We wish you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday and a wonderful New Year.

Those Annoying Canker Sores!!

2

If the conspicuous black triangles that have opened up between your teeth are closing down your smile, it’s time to take some bold action. Whether your gums have receded due to gum disease, brushing too hard, or tooth loss that your ageing restorations just can’t hide, designer dentistry can open the door to a younger, revitalized – and smiling – you.

Here are some leading-edge cosmetic solutions we can provide.

Restore gums that have receded and prematurely aged your appearance. When the gums draw back, your teeth can appear much longer. Once exposed, sensitive root surfaces are susceptible to caries and can turn hot or cold foods and drinks into an endurance test. With time,

Which of these strategies would you pick?

If the conspicuous black triangles

Which of these strategies would you pick?Project Smile Power

your teeth can loosen because as the gum recedes, so does the supporting bone.

Prevent or Camouflage visibly sunken gums caused by missing teeth. This unsightly outcome of gum and bone loss can be apparent around the edges of your older restorations. Replace them with modern, natural-looking crowns, bridges, or permanent implants that prevent bone loss as well as rejuvenate your appearance.

Sculpt your smile to make short teeth look longer and create symmetry in an uneven gumline. You may have perfectly healthy gums and teeth, but the radiance of your smile can be overshadowed by an excessive or uneven amount of gum tissue that can be permanently corrected.

Plugged In Or UnpluggedWhich are you?1. Electric toothbrushes with timers can help you to brush as long as you should (2 or 3 minutes).

2. Electric brushes with pressure sensors signal to prevent you from brushing too hard.

3. Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, you need to be gentle with your gums.

4. The ideal manual brush has soft rounded-tip nylon bristles.

5. Hard and medium bristles can cause irreversible damage to the gums which can lead to receding gumlines and exposed roots.

6. Worn bristles clean about 30% less effectively and provide a breeding ground for bacteria.

7. Replace your toothbrush every 2 or 3 months.

8. Remember, neither manual nor electric brushes can replace flossing.

9. The most important part of home dental care is regular brushing with your preferred toothbrush, combined with daily flossing.

ML0

9-4

3

Set Your Sights On HealthEasy does it!

Eco-gastronomy. Yummy. Tired of life in the fast lane and fast, fast food? The Slow Food Movement was created to counteract exactly that, in the belief that the food we eat should taste good and be produced in a clean, environmentally friendly way. Protecting the heritage of local foods, tradition, and culture means that pleasurable dining – along with oral and overall health – can be yours for the asking.

No wonder that today the Slow Food Movement has spread from Italy to 132 countries. Celebrations of gastronomic and biological diversity are held in exciting and exotic centers like Turin, Toronto, and San Francisco.

Whether you travel the world or visit your local Farmer’s Market… slow down. See the sights. Savor the incredible aromas and fl avors of just-ripe just-picked and oh-so-good-for-you slow foods.Winner Takes All!

Turn dreary into dramaticYou’ve stepped out of your comfort zone – now step up to the winner’s

circle! You’ve been challenging yourself to improve, to take better care of your health and your appearance, and now it’s all about the possibilities. Whitening, bonding, and veneers can add sizzle to your smile and fortify your renewed and well-earned confidence.

After all, it only makes sense – the more life you live, the more your smile does! Enamel tends to darken and yellow over time, particularly if you... consume coffee, tea, red wine, or dark fruits and juices; use tobacco products.

Take charge again…Brighten your teeth by up to eight shades quickly, reliably, and safely. Camouflage more serious staining with bonding and correct chips, gaps,

and other smile flaws at the same time!Say goodbye to old silver fillings with bonding materials matched to

your enamel or with beautiful porcelain inlays or onlays.

Go even more dramatic with beautiful natural-looking porcelain veneers that can… Make your teeth stronger, whiter, and more resistant to plaque-causing

bacteria; Restore symmetry and proportion to receded gums or re-sculpt the

shape of your teeth; Disguise crowded or overlapped teeth without braces.

Victory is sooo sweet. You do deserve a reward today – call us for your cosmetic consultation.

food? was created to counteract exactly

Set Your Sights On HealthEasy does it!

Eco-gastronomy. Yummy. Tired of life in the fast lane and fast, fast food?

Set Your Sights On HealthEasy does it!

of life in the fast lane and fast, fast food?

Step up to the winner's

circle!

Winner Takes All!

Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your specifi c information be sure to consult our offi ce. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.

officeinformation

Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. © PATIENT NEWS PUBLISHING (800) 667-0268

27933 - 51209 ML09-4

Tooth decay is like an attacking army looking for weak spots in your smile in order to gain entry and spread decay. Your teeth have a good protective armor called enamel. It’s a hard outer shield that stops harmful bacteria from getting into the soft dentin underneath. However, decay usually starts in places where the enamel is weak or damaged or hard to keep clean. These weak spots can be professionally cleaned in the dental office and covered with a special sealant that can stop those cavities.

A dental sealant is a liquid plastic material that hardens to form a shield over the decay-prone surfaces of the teeth. Sealants keep out the germs and food that cause tooth decay and prevent decay from ever starting. Both children and adults can benefit from sealants since we all are vulnerable to tooth decay.

The Best Thing To Do: Come on in!

Every dentist hears amusing and creative excuses for missed appointments … you know, variations on the dog ate my homework theme. Some patients just fl at out admit they had something better to do. But the real truth is they only think they’ve got something better to do. Your oral health is precious and without regular care, precarious.

Let me explain. Your body is its own ecosystem. If the bacterial balance of your oral environment is lost, it can lead to painful cavities and gum disease with tooth and bone loss. It may affect your general health. The more you postpone, the more extensive and costly treatment can become.

Please don’t miss appointments because you’re nervous about a treatment or expense. I care about your oral health and I care about you and your family. We can plan a strategy together to keep your mouth and smile pristine.

How To Win The War Against Tooth Decay

Jean D’Onofrio, the winner of the Halloween Kiss Contest pictured with Dr. Mazer. (The number of kisses totaled 208 ... her guess 209!)

Besides sealants, using fluoride is another way to prevent tooth decay. Study after study has shown that fluoride can safely prevent cavities and strengthen teeth no matter how old you are. Fluoride becomes part of the tooth enamel as it forms during childhood and helps make the tooth stronger and more resistant to tooth decay. No matter how old you are, regular fluoride treatments in our office strengthen your teeth’s armor against harmful plaque and bacteria. Fluoride also helps inhibit bleeding and tender gums in early gum disease, thus helping to control the condition in its beginning stages. Fluoride can help prevent re-infection and sustain ongoing treatments in cases of advanced gum disease. For those patients with implants and dentures, fluoride can play an important role in preventing early implant deterioration by preventing plaque build-up, and in controlling bad breath and irritation from dentures.

Sealants and fluoride used together provide the best defense against tooth decay. We believe strongly in the benefits of fluoride treatments and sealants and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Halloween Kiss Contest!

In the spirit of the holiday season, please use our Care To Share Gift Card entitling your

friends and family members to a complimentary examination and

smile consultation when they make an appointment. It gets better! You

will receive a special Thank you gift for referring someone to our offi ce. That should add smiles to

holiday faces this season!Referred by:

_____________________________.

Care to ShareGift Card

Alan L. Mazer, DMD, FACD, FICD140 Terryville RoadPort Jefferson Station, NY 11776-1330

Office HoursMonday 9:00 am – 6:00 pmTuesday 2:00 pm – 9:00 pmThursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pmFriday 9:00 am – 12:00 pmSaturday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Contact InformationContact InformationOffice (631) 473-0666Office (631) 473-0666Fax (631) 473-0679Fax (631) 473-0679Email dralanmazer@gmail.comEmail dralanmazer@gmail.comWeb site www.dralanmazer.comWeb site www.dralanmazer.com

Office StaffOffice StaffEsta, DebbieEsta, Debbie ...............Dental HygienistsDental HygienistsBethBeth ..................Scheduling CoordinatorScheduling CoordinatorPat, VeronicaPat, Veronica .............. Dental AssistantsDental AssistantsLoisLois .................... .................... .................... Practice AdministratorPractice Administrator