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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024
1115 Mt. Aetna Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 • www.hagerstownsmiles.com • 240-329-4725
A Special Note From Dr. Bruce
Over the past several years, many have asked about retirement or uttered the word semi-retirement in conversation with me. Well folks, this letter is to officially announce my “retirement.” As of early June, I had intentionally not spoken that word in regard to myself. In my mind, I suppose I wanted to wrap my head around just what “retirement” meant before I talked about it. I’ve now spoken the word, but I still have not completely come to terms with what it means for me in the future. As I write this, I am reflecting on more than 40 years of involvement in dentistry — 40 years! Where does time go? For those of you who are my contemporaries, you are likely more reflective of life than you were 40 years ago. With that reflection, I find that I laugh and cry more easily than in my younger years. (Not a bad thing.) That’s how it is when you live an examined and contemplative life, I guess. I am grateful for God’s guidance throughout my life and career. So, long story short, beginning at some point in July, I will no longer practice clinical dentistry. Though I’m healthy, my neck vertebrae are telling me it is time to give them a rest. I plan to be around the dental office a little bit each week (old habits die hard). Still, I will limit “practice” to performing dental examinations for patients who are being seen for their maintenance visits with our hygienists. I thank Dr. Brandon and Dr. Brandy for allowing me to continue to be of service in this way. I also cannot overstate the fact that Hagerstown Smiles Dental Care will be in great hands. I have gotten to work with some amazing people here, and the current team is no exception! This team helped guide us safely through a pandemic. Safe and exceptional care will continue to be the norm. I am so grateful for my dental team over the years, for my longtime patients, and for my career in dentistry in general! I have had a fantastic career, and I have been blessed to be able to serve. It has been my pleasure and honor to treat you and your family and friends as my patients. But more importantly, I’ve been blessed to celebrate with you, laugh with you, mourn with you, plan with you, and dream with you. I’ve seen some of you be born and then grow up to have children of your own who have become patients.
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CER
Dentistry For All Ages Jo Bruce Burkey, D.D.S. Cosmetic and Family Dentistry 301-739-7003 Dentistry For All Ages ENTRANCE
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A Healthy Tongue for a Healthy You
AURIC Oral CDx 凉
PRIMA
Our tongues do more than just help us taste and talk; they can also be significant indicators of our overall health. Understanding the signals your tongue may send about your health and maintaining a healthy tongue can help you care better for your body overall. Let’s explore key signs to watch for and tips to keep your tongue in top shape. Understand the Health Signs of Your Tongue The tongue’s appearance can change based on different health conditions, ranging from dehydration to more severe systemic issues. Here are three signs to watch for: White Coating or White Spots: A thin white layer occasionally appearing on the tongue is usually harmless and can be due to mild dehydration or leftover food particles. However, a thick white coating could signify oral thrush, a fungal infection. Persistent white spots or patches might indicate leukoplakia, which can precede cancer. Red Tongue: A red, inflamed tongue, sometimes known as “strawberry tongue,” can indicate vitamin deficiencies, particularly B12 and folic acid. It might also indicate scarlet fever or glossitis. Yellow Tongue: A thick layer of yellow on the tongue could indicate an overgrowth of bacteria resulting from poor oral health. Smoking can also cause a bright yellow tongue. Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Tongue If dehydration is the cause of your discolored tongue, you must drink plenty of water — that will also help keep your mouth clean and wash away food particles and bacteria. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can also ensure you get the necessary vitamins and minerals to support oral health and overall well-being. We highly recommend brushing your teeth twice daily and cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper or toothbrush to remove any residue that can lead to bad breath and other oral issues. Of course, constant scraping won’t solve the root cause of something more serious! Your tongue is a valuable tool for gauging your health. If you notice persistent changes in its appearance or feeling, consult your dentist or health care provider to ensure you address these symptoms appropriately.
... CONTINUED FROM COVER My only regret as a dentist is that we spend only a limited amount of time with our patients. But as you may realize, at Hagerstown Smiles Dental Care, we focus on viewing our patients as family and treating them as we feel they would want to be treated. You’ve never been just a potential set of teeth to us. Our stated purpose is to “help people achieve the highest level of well-being appropriate for them and, in so doing, to enhance the quality of their lives.” I hope I’ve done that consistently over the past 40 years. It is also my hope that I’ll run into many of you around the town. I hope to be seen chasing after grandkids or trying to keep up with my wife, Connie. If you see us, please come over and say, “Hi.” With that, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite blessings, which is particularly appropriate for our current times: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11. I have been incredibly blessed to know and serve all of you.
ARRIORS
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–Bruce Burley
2 • www.hagerstownsmiles.com
CONGRATULATIONS DR. BRUCE!
To help celebrate Dr. Bruce’s retirement from clinical dentistry, we’re organizing a card shower for him! If you’re interested, simply mail a card or note to: Dr. Bruce’s Card Shower, 1115 Mt. Aetna Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740, and we’ll make sure he gets them all! (And don’t worry, like he said, you will still see him around the office!)
THANK YOU FOR REFERRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Refer your friends and family between July and September to be entered into our contest for a firepit and accessories!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.hagerstownsmiles.com 1115 Mt. Aetna Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Call Now! 240-329-4725
INSIDE A Bittersweet Announcement — I’m Retiring! page 1 Decode Health Signals From Your Tongue page 2 Announcements page 3 Eat Fresh, Smile Fresh page 4
Foods That Double as Natural Tooth Whiteners SNACK YOUR WAY TO A BRIGHTER SMILE
Crunchy Fruits and Veggies You’re in luck if you like a little crunch with your snacks. Foods like apples, celery, and carrots give your gums a workout and strengthen them. They also act like a toothbrush, scrubbing away plaque and bacteria to reveal whiter teeth. These veggies and fruits contain healthy vitamins and minerals, which help with overall oral health and the appearance of your teeth. Cauliflower Food that requires a lot of chewing can be great for your chompers because the motion increases saliva production. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser and whitener for your teeth. Raw cauliflower is a perfect example of a veggie that prompts saliva production and contains a high amount of water to wash away food gunk from the surface of the teeth.
Kiwis Kiwis are loaded
Are you looking for a reason to smile? The path to sparkling pearly whites might be as close as your refrigerator! What you eat can significantly impact how white your teeth are — if you choose the correct snacks, your taste buds and teeth will thank you. From carrots to apples, here’s the scoop on the best foods to keep your smile bright. Strawberries Strawberries have more in common with your toothpaste than you may realize. These berries contain a high concentration of malic acid, often found in certain variations of toothpaste. This acid is a natural astringent and can aid in removing stains and whitening your teeth. Strawberries also contain vitamin C, which can help eliminate plaque. Ergo, fewer plaque and stains on your pearly whites will produce a brighter, shinier smile.
with vitamin C. Diets deficient in vitamin
C can cause the critical collagen in your gums to
erode, increasing your risk of periodontal disease, which can
affect the overall color of your teeth. Kiwis also contain citric acid, which can dissolve stains on your teeth and improve their appearance. According to the old maxim, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and it turns out it will also keep your dentist happy! So, the next time you stock your kitchen, remember that what’s on your plate could also whiten your smile!
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