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JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026
1115 Mt. Aetna Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 • hagerstownsmiles.com • 240-329-4725
Spotlight on Our New Clinic Team Members A Fresh Year and Fresh Faces
Happy New Year to our Hagerstown Smiles family! We hope everyone had a blessed 2025 holiday season and that your 2026 is off to a fantastic start. As we kick off the new year, we’re excited to introduce and highlight some of the newest members of our clinic team! We sat down with them for a quick Q&A; check out their answers below! Meet Taylor! Taylor joined Hagerstown Smiles in March 2025 as part of our amazing dental assistant team. We asked her what she loves most about working at Hagerstown Smiles. She said, “I love the people I work with and helping patients achieve their perfect smiles!” Taylor shared a fun fact about herself: Her favorite ice cream flavor is pistachio! Meet Michele! Michele joined our wonderful hygiene team in October 2025. We also asked her what she loves most about working at our office.
She said, “I love working here because I come to work excited to be surrounded by incredible people who inspire me to be a better person, hygienist, and teammate!” Something you may not know about Michele is that she loves hosting an annual competitive gingerbread competition! Ask her about how it went this past year when you see her at your next appointment! Meet Abbey! Abbey also joined our hygiene team in September 2025. When we asked Abbey what she loves most about working here, she said, “Everyone is so kind and helpful!” A funny fact that we did not know is that whenever she went to the dentist as a kid, she was known as the “Strawberry Shortcake Girl.” They would always give her Strawberry Shortcake stickers, and she has loved going to the dentist ever since!
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When it comes to your smile, prevention is always better than cure. Preventive dentistry goes beyond having pearly whites and encompasses maintaining overall oral health, avoiding costly dental procedures, and feeling confident every time you flash a smile. It’s the best way to give your teeth a little TLC before problems arise. Master daily oral hygiene. The backbone of preventive dentistry is daily oral care. Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste removes plaque, the sticky film of bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease. Flossing is just as essential, as it reaches the spaces between teeth that brushes can’t touch. Rinsing with mouthwash can reduce bacteria, freshen breath, and clean those tricky spots you might miss. Don’t skip regular dental checkups. Visiting our office every six months allows us to spot early signs of problems like cavities, enamel erosion, or gum disease, all issues that might not hurt until they’re serious. Professional cleanings remove tartar buildup that brushing alone can’t, keeping your teeth healthy and sparkling. Eat for a healthy smile. Your diet plays a surprising role in oral health. Sugary and acidic foods can erode enamel and feed bacteria, while crunchy fruits and vegetables naturally clean your teeth and stimulate saliva. Dairy products like cheese provide calcium for strong teeth, and drinking plenty of water helps rinse away leftover food particles. Protect your pearly whites. Preventive dentistry goes beyond the normal brushing and flossing. It’s all about protecting your teeth from damage before it happens. Mouthguards for sports, nightguards for teeth grinders, and sealants for kids’ molars can make a big difference. Instilling healthy habits early ensures a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth. MASTER DAILY ORAL CARE Your First Step Toward a Healthy Smile
It’s 3 p.m., and you’ve hit the dreaded midday slump. For many Americans,
coffee or an energy drink may fuel their second wind. When tired, we tend to turn to external sources for a boost, but it’s a temporary fix; we’ll encounter the same issue the next day. Instead, we need to look internally and make changes to improve overall well-being for the long term. A healthier, more consistent way to increase energy is possible! Do you stay up late every night? Do you use your phone right before you fall asleep? Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to give your sleep a facelift. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, ideally around 9 or 10 p.m. Put your phone away at least an hour before bed. If this is difficult, practice meditation whenever you feel tempted to grab your phone. Your diet may also need adjustments. If you skip meals, eat junk food, or snack right before bed, you’ll feel it later. During the day, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-rich foods instead. Make time for every meal, stepping away from your work while you eat. If you do not get enough nutrients, supplement your diet with vitamins. Consider your daily movement as well. It might sound counterproductive, but exercise can substantially boost our energy. Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient circulation while allowing us to get better sleep.
Defend your overall health.
Did you know your oral health affects more than your teeth? Gum disease has been linked to conditions like diabetes and heart disease, so keeping your smile in top shape benefits your whole body.
You don’t have to go through life lacking energy. Make adjustments today for a more energized tomorrow.
2 • hagerstownsmiles.com
NEW YEAR, NEW UPDATES FROM OUR TEAM
Our 2026 Q1 Referral Prize is a $400 Ticketmaster gift card, giving you the chance to enjoy unforgettable concerts, sports events, or live shows of your choice. Refer friends, earn entries, and you could win.
On Dec. 14, our amazing assistant Corri celebrated her five-year work anniversary. We’re incredibly grateful for everything she brings to the table and excited to continue celebrating her contributions to the Hagerstown Smiles family!
In 2025, we were proudly voted Best of the Tristate for both Best Dental Office and Best Dentist, an honor made possible by our incredible patients. For 2026, nominations run Jan. 6–Feb. 2, and voting takes place Feb. 17–March 9. Visit bestofthetristate.com for details and help us shine again!
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hagerstownsmiles.com 1115 Mt. Aetna Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Call Now! 240-329-4725
INSIDE Welcoming 2026 With New Smiles and New Team Members page 1 The Healthy Cure for Your 3 p.m. Crash page 2 Everyday Habits That Keep Cavities and Gum Disease Away page 2 Kicking Off 2026 With Exciting Updates page 3 A First-Timer’s Guide to Pet Prep page 4
Bringing Home a New Pet? QUICK TIPS TO START PET LIFE RIGHT
Bringing home a new pet for the first time can be exciting and nerve- wracking. One moment, you might be thinking of quiet nights curled up on the couch with your new furry friend, and then suddenly catch yourself worrying whether your carpets and furniture will survive. That mix of feelings is perfectly normal, but preparation can help keep your stress levels down.
Food is another early test. For dogs, real meat should be at the top of the list. Cats need the same, since grain-heavy diets don’t do them any good. Birds, reptiles, and other unusual pets have their own needs, so it’s worth doing a little homework before buying. Routine also makes life easier. Feed them at the same times, build in bathroom breaks, and play regularly. Miss a walk, and your dog will remind you in no uncertain terms. Socialization matters, too. If you have a puppy, try mixing up your walking routes. Exposing it to different streets with new sights, sounds, and smells stimulates it in a good way and reduces anxiety. Kittens should be given space to explore without being pushed. A rescue cat may take weeks before it relaxes, but patience usually wins. And don’t delay that first vet visit. Even if your pet looks fine, an early exam can catch problems and set you up with a vaccine schedule. Some clinics even discount first visits, especially for rescues. The first few weeks as a new pet owner can be messy. Shoes might get chewed, accidents happen, and sleep takes a hit. Over time, though, the rough edges fade into stories. Before long, the same animal that kept you on your toes will become one of the best parts of your household.
Start by getting your house ready. Tuck away cords, move toxic houseplants, and set up an area with food and a bed. Puppies and kittens are like curious toddlers. They always seem to find the one thing you missed, so assume anything left out could be chewed, batted, or swallowed.
4 • hagerstownsmiles.com
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