Smile File -Summer 2006

Kiss Off Success

Des Plaines Dentistry In a British study, men ranked bad teeth as the number one turn-off against kissing. And yet, men are notoriously more likely than women to ignore their oral health, even though it is linked with longevity and an attractive appearance.

An Academy of General Dentistry survey found that men are more likely to have gum disease than women. Gum disease can detract from your overall health as well as your appearance and can cause bad breath.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults and is called the Silent Disease because it begins silently, without any symptoms.

If you have any of these symptoms, gum disease has already progressed...

Persistent bad breath;
Red, swollen, or tender gums;
Bleeding gums;
Loose or shifting teeth.

Socializing doesn't motivate everyone - smile power has many facets. Consider: three out of four individuals believe that an unattractive smile can hinder careers!

Dentistry can halt the progress of gum disease very effectively and can even reverse its effects. Combined with a good routine of home care, you can have a fresh, wholesome, attractive smile in no time.

We'll always encourage you to enjoy the benefits of excellent oral health ... and your appearance.

A Smile...

Better than chocolate?

If you receive enough smiles, you really can feel like a million dollars. Tests show that receiving a smile generates much higher stimulation to the brain and the heart than being given money or eating chocolate! In fact, exchanging smiles actually changes our brain chemistry and creates a halo effect, bestowing a glow of optimism and positive feelings on the experience.

Never underestimate the importance and power of your smile. Have you ever noticed... when you smile at someone, they almost always smile back!

Make maintaining your oral health your number-one priority. Let your smile make a favorable impression!

Quitting Counts...

Des Plaines Dentistry Great news: If you quit using tobacco products, you'll reduce your risk for oral cancer, dental cavities, periodontal disease, and partial or complete tooth loss! Whether you smoke cigars, cigarettes, or chew smokeless tobacco, the chemicals...

attack & destroy gum tissue & eventually cause it to recede
wear out the enamel on your teeth, making teeth weak & vulnerable
increase your heart rate & raise your blood pressure

If you smoke, you are six times more likely than a nonsmoker to develop oral cancer. Combining routine use of alcohol and tobacco means fifteen times the risk, and smokeless tobacco products increase your risk fifty-fold!

Back to the good news... An oral cancer screening is included in routine dental checkups and we can help heal or even reverse the damage caused by gum disease!

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Dr. Thomas L. Meyer - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers to the areas of Chicago and Des Plaines, Illinois.