Check out our Semptember/October newsletter!
M O N T H L Y
SEPT/OCT 2018
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SCHEDULE YOUR
Dental Appoint ment
NOW
YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE WILL EXPIRE SOON, SO DON’T WAIT!
O ne of the most challenging problems we experience this time of year is patients trying to schedule last- minute appointments before their insurance benefits expire. We try our best to fit everyone in, but sometimes we’re completely booked and we have to schedule them for the next year, but by that time it’s too late. If you haven’t scheduled an appointment with us yet, now is the perfect time to do so — especially if you need something other than a routine checkup or cleaning done. Typically, dental insurance expires by the end of the year. This means that by Jan. 1, any money you’ve had throughout the year for your dental insurance will go straight to the insurance company. While you will continue to have insurance into the next year, any money that’s usable for dental or orthodontic work won’t transfer into the new year. Not very many people have dental insurance, which is why it’s imperative to utilize it as much as you can. If you have insurance through your employer, you most likely pay a premium to keep that insurance. I cannot stress enough how important it is to use the amount provided to you when you’re paying for it during the current year. It’s in the best interest of your oral health and your wallet to employ the benefits and the premium you’ve worked so hard to receive. When you wait until the last minute to schedule a dental appointment, understand that many other people are doing the same thing. It’s common knowledge that dental
insurance expires on Dec. 31, and people will begin to rush to
get their appointments in during the last few months of the year. If you haven’t had a
dental appointment recently and still have insurance benefit money left over, schedule an appointment as soon as you can to avoid being pushed into next year.
“TYPICALLY, DENTAL INSURANCE EXPIRES BY THE
If you do not have insurance, Elite Smiles Dentistry provides a savings plan to help our patients receive the care they deserve. The Elite Smiles Continuous Care savings plan is a saving discount plan, which is accessible for the entire family. The adult one-year membership plan costs $17 a month and includes many benefits over the span of the year. On the annual membership, you’ll receive two regular checkups, two regular cleanings, two problem-focus exams, all necessary X-rays, and a 20 percent discount on all restorative, cosmetic, endodontic, and prosthodontic services. At Elite Smiles, we understand what a healthy smile means to millions of Americans. This is why we urge you to schedule an appointment today and not to wait till the last minute. We can provide you with the treatment you need with or without insurance, so call our offices today! –Steven Freeman
END OF THE YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT BY JAN. 1, ANY MONEY YOU’VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY.”
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GET TO KNOW OUR OFFICE MANAGER
F IND THE R IGHT FoodBalance FOODS THAT CAUSE AND REDUCE INFLAMMATION
The food you eat plays a major role in how your body functions on the cellular level. Some foods can wreak havoc on your body, while others can make you feel great. This is especially true when it comes to that all-too-common ailment, inflammation.
And Don’t Miss Our Building Update!
Here are a few examples of foods that lead to inflammation:
Sugar: One of the biggest culprits behind inflammation, sugar is far worse than eating fatty foods. It’s best to skip foods that have added sugar (and this includes sugar of any kind, including corn syrup, fructose, and sucrose). Many manufacturers now label food with more specific kinds of sugar to hide the fact that they added sugar to their product. Be sure to read labels carefully! Refined carbs: Basically anything made from white flour falls into this category, including bread, pasta, baked goods, and cereals. Research suggests that refined carbs may be a bigger contributing factor than fat in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Alcohol: Too much alcohol puts a burden on your liver, an organ that helps flush toxins out of the body. You know all of those detox diets? They don’t work. In fact, the only way to detox is to let your liver do its job. When you consume alcohol, it’s harder for the liver to pump out the toxins in your body. When it can’t do its job properly, the result is inflammation. Blueberries: Many studies call blueberries one of the best fruits you can eat to ease symptoms of inflammation. These blue orbs of goodness are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, polyphenols, and so much more. Eat a handful every day! Salmon: As a source of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is one of the best protein choices for people with inflammatory conditions, or for those who want to keep inflammation at bay. Broccoli: One of the most nutritious and easily accessible vegetables around, the little green buds that cover the tops of broccoli are loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds. Now, for the good stuff. Eat these foods to reduce inflammation:
Our wonderful office manager, Amy, has been with us for nine years and it’s been an absolute joy to have her as a member of the staff at Elite Smiles Dentistry. Amy is one of two office managers at our practice and keeps rather busy. When she isn’t helping our staff, answering phones, or greeting patients, Amy enjoys exploring St. Augustine. “I really enjoy
beach days with family and friends.” She is also notorious for bringing baked goods to the office. “I also love baking, and I often bring in my creations to our staff.” In the office, Amy and our other office manager help out in different areas. “We each have specific roles,” Amy explains. “One of my main responsibilities is human resources, which gives me the chance to get to know our staff on a more personal level. I help them achieve their goals within our practice, and it’s a great feeling.”
Along with office work, Amy also keeps an eye on our new building. She wanted our readers to know how it is coming along:
“Our new building, as many of you know, is slowly and surely making progress. We’re so excited to see it taking shape — we recently got our cement slabs down, frames have gone up, and our elevator shaft is in place. It’s amazing to see the progress the construction workers are making and all the effort being put into our new building. We’re eager to see what comes next!” Amy is posting updates regularly on our Facebook page, which you can see and follow for yourself here: Facebook.com/elitesmilesdentistry . Our new building gives us the opportunity to bring all specialties and doctors under one roof. Follow us as we go through this new and exciting transition!
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T A K E S T E P S N O W T O P R O T E C T Y O U R T E E T H
Don’t Let Tooth Decay Ruin Your Oral Health
Going to the dentist regularly is incredibly important in keeping your oral health in tip-top shape. But you shouldn’t rely solely on your dentist to keep decay-causing bacteria at bay. Take steps at home to keep your mouth clean and healthy. It’s easy! Brush and Floss Your Teeth Taking proper care of your teeth is important. Plaque buildup in your mouth creates an environment in which bacteria can thrive. Those bacteria produce acid that damages the enamel of your teeth and allows cavities to form. Brush three times per day (preferably right after meals) and floss at least once a day to reduce the plaque buildup in your mouth. Using fluoride toothpaste is a good way to strengthen your enamel, and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year at the dentist ensures that any hard-to-reach plaque is removed. Eat a Tooth-Healthy Diet The more sugar you eat, the more plaque you’ll have in your mouth. Sugar encourages bacteria to grow, causing more acid to be produced. To avoid this, Take a Break
it’s best to minimize the amount of sugary foods in your diet, including candy, soda, and other processed carbohydrates. After meals, drink water to help remove any leftover food debris and give your saliva a chance to break things down, limiting the amount of acid produced. Bacteria-Fighting Substances Some sugar alcohols, like xylitol, are highly effective at fighting oral bacteria. Chewing xylitol gum is a delicious way to hinder the bacteria’s production of acid. Essential oils like clove, myrrh, thyme, peppermint, rosemary, and oregano also remove bacteria and prevent inflammation. Add six drops of oil to one cup of water to pull toxins from your mouth and prevent gum disease. Protecting your teeth and gums at home is just as crucial as going to the dentist. Use these three tips to keep your mouth — and the rest of your body — healthy.
HAVE A LAUGH!
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I N S I D E
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
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The Best and Worst Foods for Inflammation
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Meet Our Amazing Office Manager
Fight the Bacteria in Your Mouth
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Take a Break
St. Augustine Fall Local Events
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Local Events S T . A U G U S T I N E F A L L T H R E E L O C A L E V E N T S J U S T F O R Y O U
Looking for an excuse to get out and enjoy your community? Look no further! There are plenty of events happening around St. Augustine, and here are a few that will catch your eye. Pink Up The Pace Where: St. George Street, St. Augustine When: Oct. 6, 8 a.m. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and to promote awareness, St. Augustine will be hosting a 5K Walk and Run. Pink Up The Pace is hitting the streets for its 10th year and provides a great opportunity to celebrate survivors and remember those who lost their fight against breast cancer. All funds raised will be donated to individuals who are underinsured and uninsured as they struggle through the financial difficulties of early breast cancer detection. For more information and to register, visit their website at pinkupthepace.com. First Friday Art Walk Where: 1 Cathedral Street, St. Augustine, near the Bridge of Lions When: First Friday of each month, 5–9 p.m.
If you love art, then you are sure to enjoy this art walk. Taking place every first Friday, you can appreciate the art displays from the 30 participating galleries while enjoying live entertainment and refreshments. The walk presents art from contemporary to traditional and beyond. Best of all? The event is open and free to the public! Head to downtown St. Augustine for an evening filled with beautiful and unique art displays. Greek Festival Where: 25 W. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine When: Oct. 12–14, times vary Spend your weekend enjoying traditional Greek food, music, and dance! Immerse yourself within the Greek culture with other visitors and residents who crave a taste of the Mediterranean. The three-day celebration recreates a Greek village for all attendees to feel as though they have been transported to a corner of Athens. Along with great food, expect to be entertained by the Hellenic Band and the Nisiotes and Asteria Greek dancers. Admission costs $5 for adults. Children 16 and under, along with Active Duty Military members and their dependents, get in for free.
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