A New Year, A New Cheer!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!
New Year Days are best spent with people you love and who love you back! This New Year Day, we did an early breakfast run and woke up some of our favorite relatives.

Surprisingly, we were all up early for New Year's Day considering we were partying hard and rang in the New Year at Dave and Buster's the night before on New Year's Eve. We even got my Dad to play a few games of 4 people Air Hockey! When he agreed to step up to the arcade game, my first thought was, "Wow, is he really going to forgo the usual Dad-ism of : "This is a total waste of time and money!" as he took an air hockey paddle." We battled hard and competitively with arms flying around and 3 pucks whizzing about. I had such a fun time that I don't remember who won.  I just know it wasn't me.

Breakfast of assorted hot bagels, salmon cream cheese spread, egg salad, whitefish salad, lox slices, and coffee hit the spot! I'm so glad they were home since it was an impromptu visit.  Thank goodness the bagel store was open too! Other people must've had the same idea we had cause there was a line out the door.
As the cousins came into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from their eyes, big hugs were exchanged. Seeing everyone sitting at the long table, chatting and laughing, I felt such a feeling of warmth and blessings. Indeed, getting together with friends and family are the best way to start off celebrating the New Year. Celebrating with food, laughter and ......LOVE!

This new article for the Japanese newspaper is spot on for feeling your best and looking your best for these dark cold days.  Read and enjoy!

Quickest Way to Look Young for the New Year

Happy New Year, Everyone! For all our patients, thank you for choosing our office to be your Dental Home. Thank you for having the confidence in referring your friends, family and co-workers as well! We wish you all health, happiness and years and years of healthy, beautiful smiles!

Getting together with friends and family on New Year’s Day is the perfect way to start off 2015. When patients come into our office, they get a warm “Happy New Year!! How did you celebrate? Did you celebrate with family and friends?” 

One patient said she had gone to see her cousin's family. Some of her cousin's kids were away for college or not living at home anymore so it was great seeing everyone again together. “My cousin had been busy for the past few years taking care of her aging parents as well as her own family and she looked noticeably older this time”, my patient said. “Even her teeth looked really yellow next to her children’s smiles.”  Oh boy, poor Cousin, having a stained smile can really age your looks!

Ladies and gentlemen… never fear, here is the quickest way to look young for the new year! Brighten that smile! It will make you look great and feel fabulous!

Sounds like a TV ad, doesn’t it? But it’s so true. Whiter teeth are associated with youth, energy, beauty and a healthier lifestyle.  When people have a brighter smile, they tend to smile more, are more confident and are seen as friendlier. 

While there are a lot of different whitening products, the custom-fitted tray whitening done at home is most common and easiest. Models are taken in the dental office and a thin custom plastic tray is made for you.  A small amount of whitening gel is placed in the trays and worn for a brief time during the day or overnight while you sleep.  Results can usually be seen in a few days but it usually takes 1-2 weeks to see the full whitening effect.  This gradual whitening of your teeth over time will be less noticeable to others and less sensitive.  Some sensitivity maybe experienced but this disappears when the whitening gel is discontinued.

Whitening is completely effect in 78% of people.  In some cases, whitening may not be the best choice to brighten their smile.  Talk to your dentist to find out if you’re a candidate for whitening.

Day by day, to keep your teeth as white as possible, avoid staining foods and beverages.  Anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth.  Use a whitening toothpaste to brush and floss away plaque that can attract stains.  If possible, drink staining beverages through a straw or rinse with water afterward if you cannot brush.

Above all, have regular dental appointments to keep your smile healthy. After all, it’s good to be beautiful but it’s better to be healthy AND beautiful!