Check out our latest newsletter!
JAN/FEB/MAR 2024
1115 Mt. Aetna Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 • www.hagerstownsmiles.com • 240-329-4725
Happy New Year to all our valued patients and your families! As we step into 2024, the team at Hagerstown Smiles wishes you a year filled with joy, good health, and beautiful smiles. We are incredibly grateful to all of you and look forward to continuing our journey together. Looking back at 2023, we can’t help but reflect on the year’s achievements and challenges. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the possibilities that lie ahead. What goals and resolutions have you set for yourself in 2024? At Hagerstown Smiles, we’ve embraced a unique wellness approach involving our team members. In May 2023, our six dental assistants embarked on a group weight-loss goal — a mid-year resolution to improve our health. Acknowledging the demands of our profession and recognizing the importance of practicing what we preach, we decided to make healthier lifestyle choices. Together, we pledged to be more mindful of our diets and incorporate physical activity into our daily routines. By the end of 2023, our collective efforts led to an impressive weight loss of 85 pounds! It was a fun and supportive journey that brought us closer as a team and inspired us to prioritize our well-being. As we enter 2024, we are excited to carry this momentum forward, ensuring we are at our best to serve you, our wonderful patients. HIGHLIGHTING ORAL SEDATION DENTISTRY AND NITROUS OXIDE PROGRAM In the spirit of the new year, we want to spotlight services that have brought comfort and relaxation to many of our patients — our nitrous oxide program as well as oral sedation dentistry. Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a very safe and effective way to induce a state of relaxation for our patients. Administered through a comfortable nose mask, nitrous oxide allows individuals to remain aware and responsive during dental procedures while experiencing a calming effect. Nitrous oxide has no downtime, and patients can even drive themselves home after their appointments! WELCOMING A BRAND-NEW YEAR A Fresh Start
For those patients who may be more anxious and need extensive dental work, we also offer oral sedation. This sedation is administered through a pill that patients take the night before, as well as an hour before their visit. After arriving at the office, more medication can be administered as needed in order to achieve a state where the patient is awake and responding to commands, but much more relaxed than with nitrous oxide. The next day, they may be foggy about parts of the visit or even forget they were at the dentist. For this procedure, the patient needs a ride home and a caregiver to look after them for the rest of the day. If you think nitrous oxide or oral sedation would work for you (or a friend or family member), just ask us! We’ll be glad to talk more about it and see if you (or they) qualify! A NEW YEAR, A CONTINUATION OF EXCEPTIONAL CARE As we enter 2024, our commitment to providing exceptional dental care remains unwavering. Whether you’re a longtime patient or someone considering our services for the first time, we are dedicated to making your experience with Hagerstown Smiles positive and comfortable. Thank you for being a part of our dental family. We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year filled with bright smiles and moments of joy. Cheers to a fresh start and the exciting opportunities that await in 2024!
Dental Assistant Team Leader –Kayla
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A healthy, radiant smile is a source of confidence and an indicator of overall well-being. Embracing preventive dentistry practices is key to maintaining your teeth’s health and ensuring your smile remains bright for years. Here are five tips to help you prioritize preventive dental care in 2024. REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS Scheduling regular dental check-ups is the cornerstone of preventive dentistry. These visits allow us to identify potential issues early on, preventing them from developing into more significant problems. Aim for biannual dental appointments to keep your oral health in check. PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY 101 Your Guide to a Healthy Smile
How Travel Shapes Child Development YOUNG EXPLORERS
Introducing children to domestic and international travel at a young age can significantly aid their development. Surprisingly, traveling with children as young as 6 months old can be remarkably beneficial. It instills a sense of curiosity and openness to new experiences. In addition, child development research shows that travel broadens a child’s horizons and plays a pivotal role in their cognitive and emotional growth in several ways. CULTURAL EMPATHY AND ADAPTABILITY Travel exposes young minds to different cultures and environments, fostering empathy and adaptability. A global education specialist, Dr. Robin Hancock, explains that children who travel from an early age learn to appreciate cultural differences and are more likely to develop meaningful relationships across diverse backgrounds. This early exposure lays a strong foundation for them to grow into well- rounded, globally aware adults. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Beyond cultural understanding, travel significantly impacts linguistic development. Associate Professor Erika Levy from Columbia University notes that surrounding children with various language sounds helps maintain their ability to distinguish and learn different languages. This exposure is particularly beneficial in the first few years of life when brain development is most rapid. EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPE PERSPECTIVES The experiences children gain from travel go beyond just forming memories. They shape their perspectives and understanding of the world. Every element of the trip contributes to a child’s learning, from trying new foods to adapting to different climates and customs. Even if they don’t remember every detail, the skills and insights gained during their formative years stay with them for life. INCORPORATING TRAVEL INTO EARLY LEARNING Implementing travel as a part of a child’s early learning can be as simple as exploring local neighborhoods, engaging with different cultures, or creating travel-related traditions. These experiences don’t have to be grand — even small trips offer valuable learning opportunities. Travel is more than just a leisure activity for children; it is an invaluable educational tool. By embracing the joys of travel, parents can help develop their children’s cognitive, linguistic, and emotional skills. Whether a local adventure or an international expedition, every journey becomes a stepping stone in a child’s path to a richer, more interconnected future.
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING Consistent brushing and flossing are fundamental in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled
toothbrush. Remember to floss daily to remove plaque and debris between your teeth, where your toothbrush may not reach.
MAINTAIN A BALANCED DIET What you eat has a direct impact on your oral health. A balanced diet that includes a variety
of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products provides essential nutrients for your teeth and gums. Limit sugary snacks and beverages, as they contribute to tooth decay. STAY HYDRATED Water is essential for your overall health and plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral hygiene. Drinking water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, reducing the risk of cavities and promoting saliva production, which is essential for neutralizing acids in the mouth. MOUTHGUARDS AND SEALANTS If you engage in sports or activities with a risk of dental injury, consider using a mouthguard to protect your teeth from trauma. Additionally, dental sealants, a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, can help prevent cavities by shielding these vulnerable areas from decay. If you grind your teeth, especially at night, consider using a night guard to protect your teeth from excessive wear and tear. Prioritizing preventive dentistry practices contributes to a lifetime of healthy smiles. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine and maintaining regular dental check-ups, you’re investing in the longevity of your teeth and preserving the beauty of your smile.
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As many of you may know, three of our team members welcomed new babies this year! Our families are growing!
REFER YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! The referral drawing is back! Anyone who refers a new patient who comes in between January and March will be entered into our “Spring-Cleaning” drawing for a new Dyson vacuum, plus cleaning and other supplies! The greatest compliment we can receive is the referral of your friends and family!
Kourteney (front desk team) and her husband Austin welcomed baby Ryder.
Paige (dental assistant team) and her husband Taylor welcomed baby Rachel.
Kristen (hygienist team) and her husband Ryan welcomed baby Thea.
We’re also excited that two other team members have babies on the way!
Thank you for your continued support especially if we needed to re-arrange your appointment so our team members can take care of their families, and we can continue to take care of you!
Thank you to all who voted for us for Hagerstown Magazine’s Hotlist contest. We are so grateful to serve our patients and this community. Keep brushing and smiling! Hagerstown Hotlist Winners!
Thank you for all those who supported our office’s Veterans Day event as well as the Alzheimer’s walk this past fall! Our office raised over $1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association and donated over $20,000 in dentistry to our veterans.
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www.hagerstownsmiles.com 1115 Mt. Aetna Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Call Now! 240-329-4725
INSIDE
Here’s to a Bright 2024 page 1
Daily Dental Essentials
Childhood Development Through Travel page 2
Announcements page 3
Innovative Ideas to Cut Your Vacation Costs page 4
5 PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR COST-EFFECTIVE TRAVEL
Traveling can be an enriching and fulfilling experience, but it can also be costly. Many people dream of exploring new destinations, but financial constraints can be limiting. Fortunately, we’re here to share five practical tips to help you save money while enjoying your trip. PLAN AND BUDGET AHEAD. One of the most effective ways to save money is by planning and budgeting your trip in advance. Create a comprehensive budget that includes airfare, accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. Having a budget lets you track your expenses and helps you avoid overspending. You can also take advantage of early bird rates for flights and hotels. CANCEL UNNECESSARY SUBSCRIPTIONS. Before you travel, review your monthly subscriptions like gym memberships, streaming services, or magazines you won’t use while you’re away. Temporarily canceling these subscriptions can free up extra cash for your travel fund. LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS. Keep an eye out for discounts, offers, and coupons that can help you save money on activities, dining, and shopping. Websites like Groupon
and LivingSocial offer various deals that could be useful during
your trip. These websites often provide discounted tickets to attractions, cheaper dining options, and even discounted rates for experiences like spa treatments or outdoor activities.
TRAVEL DURING OFF-PEAK SEASONS. Traveling during off-peak seasons will save you money on flights, hotels, and activities. You also benefit from less crowded destinations and shorter queues for popular tourist attractions. This is a win-win for travelers seeking a budget-friendly and less-crowded travel experience. USE LOCAL GROCERY STORES AND PACK SNACKS. Another way to save money while you travel is by shopping at local grocery stores for snacks and meals rather than eating out for every meal. This gives you a taste of local businesses and culture. Packing snacks can also help you avoid buying overpriced food at airports or touristy areas. By implementing these tips into your travel planning and experience, you can stretch your dollar further without compromising the quality of your trip. Happy traveling!
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