Spring/Summer 2009

Dentally Speaking
......... with Dr. Alan L. Mazer .........
Produced to improve your dental health and awareness
fromthedentist
I must admit…I am happy that winter
is finally behind us and the longer, warmer
days of spring and summer are right around
the corner. It is time to begin spending time
outdoors, planning vacations, increasing
our physical activity, planting gardens, and
enjoying time with family and friends at
barbecues, graduation parties, weddings
and other special events.
My family and I will be celebrating a
big milestone this summer…my mom’s
90th birthday! My children, grandchildren
and extended family will be joining me
for this momentous occasion celebrating
and honoring my wonderful mom.
Following the party and in celebration of
our 40th wedding anniversary, my wife
Lois and I will be on our way to Tanzania
for a two week safari. With cameras and
binoculars in hand, we will travel across
the Serengeti following the migration of the
wildebeests…I am sure we will have many
stories to share with all of you when we
return. And, I look forward to hearing about
your summer celebrations and vacations.
I hope that spring and summer provides
as much celebratory and relaxation time for
you and your family as it provides for mine.
Enjoy your family, your quiet times, your
special occasions and your lazy hazy days.
But, please be vigilant about your dental
health by continually practicing good oral
hygiene at home, on your summer trips, and
by visiting us for recare appointments.
Have a safe and healthy spring and
summer!
Yours in good dental health,
“We Care About Your Smile”
Spring/Summer 2009
Mother Nature in all her
glory casts the greatest magic
of all … spring followed
by the warmth of summer!
The blossoming of trees and
flowers and the return of bird
songs are sweet to our ears.
It is also a time of personal
renewal, and celebrations –
weddings, graduations, sports, and
social events – wonderful, memorymaking times to smile about. You will
want to make sure you look great, feel great,
and get your smile in photo-op shape!
We’d like you to know that we can help to make your
smile perfect for those keepsake photographs. Through the use of some
very simple cosmetic techniques we can whiten and brighten, mask
stains and hide chips. We can fill in the gaps, cover the cracks, correct
the spacing and even ensure that the length of your teeth is as even as
possible … all to improve your smile power!
Do you know someone who is getting married? Going to a
graduation? Attending a special event? Now you can give them the gift of
a healthy smile. We are pleased to offer a terrific gift idea…our very own
Gift Certificates which can be purchased by anyone…for anyone…for any
dollar amount to be used for any dental service that we offer. In addition,
we are offering Wedding Whitening Specials for all brides, grooms and
bridal parties from May-August.
So, feel great about saying Cheese to the camera! Call us today to
purchase a Smile gift certificate, to inquire about our Wedding Whitening
Specials or to schedule your appointment for the best smile ever!
e
Congratulations to Dr. Mazer on receiving
the prestigious Dr. Robert Raskin Meritorious
Service Award presented annually to a dentist in
appreciation of dedicated service and enduring
contributions to the Suffolk County Dental Society.
Alan L. Mazer, DMD
Your oral health can impact your overall health: Think prevention!
Just In Time
You get to decide!
Are you an adherent of the Before
Flossophy or the After Flossophy? People
can be surprisingly passionate about when
to floss … before or after they brush.
Even dentists can’t always agree. In a poll
conducted by the American Academy of
Periodontology, 40% recommend before,
36% after, and 25% don’t think it matters.
Truthfully, as long as you remember your
You Can Do It
home care routines and maintain your recare
Discover your inner balance
It’s all about the balance. Really. A
lifestyle that balances work with stressrelieving play and that pays attention
to nutrition and diet is a healthy one.
That’s the macro level. At the micro
level, small imbalances in the pH of
your blood, for example, can create
changes in the pH of your saliva,
altering your mouth’s environment.
In other words, your oral health can
impact and be impacted by your overall
health and here’s how…
Plaque, the thin film on your teeth,
is a biofilm and a bacterial ecosystem
within the larger bionetwork of your
mouth and body. When the scale tips
so that good bacteria are overtaken
by those that are harmful, red swollen
gums that bleed easily, gum and bone
recession, and tooth loss can occur.
Tartar is the conspicuous, cementlike substance that plaque hardens into
when you allow it to build up. Tartar
can break the natural protective seal
that your gums provide, allowing oral
bacteria into your bloodstream. Experts
believe that toxic bacteria from your
gum infection can trigger your immune
system into a constant state of alert.
Gum disease has been linked to
systemic and inflammatory
diseases including heart and
stroke, osteoarthritis, diabetes,
cancers, and lung diseases.
These complex interactions
mean that a one size fits all
approach to life, health, and
your oral health care is no
longer sufficient.
schedule, we will be happy!
So, in no particular order…
 Floss once – to clean between your
teeth and below the gumline.
 Brush gently at least twice a day –
to remove food and bacteria from your
teeth, gums, and tongue.
 Rinse often throughout the day –
Y
plain water can keep bacteria at bay
when there’s no time to brush.
our oral health
Weighing In
Fight diabetes!
Did you know that diabetics are more likely to have gum disease than
others and that those with gum disease find it more difficult to control blood
sugar levels? Or that 90% of people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are
overweight? Weight loss and exercise could go a long way to preventing or
managing diabetes – and your oral health!
A regular routine of physical activity is ideal, but still, you can find inventive
ways to burn calories!
 Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
 Try hiding the remote. Research shows that thin people get up and move
around more, tend to fidget more, and sit less.
 Do some eco-exercise – instead of driving, ride your bicycle when you can.
It’s important for everyone to maintain healthy routines for oral and overall health.
2
Before
Prime Attraction
Get what you need
Is 50 really the new 40? It seems so. Men and women today feel
and act ten years younger than their biological age. Midlife is a strong,
powerful time of life in every way and you can see the influence you
command in the number of products tailored just for you. A prime
example is the number of esthetic innovations created to enhance your
smile, like beautiful natural-looking crown and implant restorations.
You’ll like them because…
After
You’re an experienced and savvy consumer
 Long-lasting natural-looking materials resist chipping, staining, and cracks.
 Improvements in options and technology have made procedures
more time-efficient and patient-friendly.
You’re health conscious
 Your damaged or discolored tooth can be covered, protected, and
strengthened with a single crown.
 Bone loss can be prevented by anchoring a permanent new tooth into the
jawbone by combining a single crown with a dental implant.
 Missing teeth can be replaced with several replacement teeth attached to a
secure crown or implant bridge restoration to prevent your other teeth from
drifting and altering your ability to eat, speak, and socialize.
You love to look great
 Crowns made of natural-looking translucent porcelain are beautiful and
designed to blend in so well with neighboring teeth that no one can tell that you
have them.
Don’t let your smile give away your age. Let us give you a midlife smile with
style! Call us to schedule a consultation.
7 Tips For A Tiptop Smile
Which would you choose?
Teeth Whitening
Instantly brighten your smile
White Fillings of
Composite or Porcelain
Make tell-tale dark fillings a thing of the past
Tooth-Colored Bonding
Cover deep-rooted stains, repair small cracks
or chips, fill in gaps, and recontour teeth
Cosmetic Veneers
Conceal spaces, crooked, chipped, or
discolored teeth
Crown Restorations
Restore severely damaged or broken teeth
Dental Implants
Restore appearance and function
Crown/Implant
& Bridge Restorations
Replace missing teeth and prevent further
damage to your smile
ML09-1
Improving the color, shape, or position of your teeth can improve the way
you feel about yourself. Here at a glance are seven tips for a tiptop smile that
looks completely natural.
3
Important Insurance
Information
Spotlight On...
Esta and Debbie
Esta Merola and Debra Rubin
are our dynamic hygienists who
help keep your teeth and gums
clean and healthy. They are the
masters of the cavitron and super
sleuths in spotting problem areas in
your mouth.
Working in our office for ten
years, Esta exudes good cheer and a
positive attitude. Married with four
children and four grandchildren,
Esta, when she is not practicing
hygiene, keeps herself busy by
reading, walking, volunteering
and of course, visiting with the
loves of her life, her grandchildren.
She enjoys interacting with our
patients and inspiring them to
maintain good oral health. Her
dental philosophy is prevention…
prevention… prevention.
Debbie’s smiling face has been
a welcome greeting to our hygiene
officeinformation
Alan L. Mazer, DMD, FACD, FICD
140 Terryville Road
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776-1330
Office Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
9:00 am
2:00 pm
9:00 am
9:00 am
8:00 am
– 6:00
– 9:00
– 5:00
– 12:00
– 2:00
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
Contact Information
Office
Fax
Email
Web site
(631) 473-0666
(631) 473-0679
[email protected]
www.dralanmazer.com
Office Staff
Esta, Debbie ...............Dental Hygienists
Beth ..................Scheduling Coordinator
Pat, Olga .................... Dental Assistants
Lois .................... Practice Administrator
Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your
specific information be sure to consult our office. If you do not wish
to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.
patients for the past five years.
Enjoying the suburban life after
growing up in Queens, Debbie spends
her free time exercising, attending
craft fairs, relaxing at the beach and
going to the movies. Her philosophy
is, “If you feel good, you will look
good.” So, she advises her patients
to brush, floss and keep their smiles
happy! Don’t forget to come see either
Esta or Debbie at least twice a year for
your exam, cleaning and oral cancer
check-up.
In these tough times, it is good
to know that we are an in-network
provider for:
Aetna Dental Preferred Provider
Organization (PPO)
Aetna Participating Dental Network
(PDN)
Aetna Exclusive Provider Plan (EPP)
Aetna Affordable Health Choices
Aetna Dental Access
Cigna®
Delta Dental
Select Empire plans including
Empire Premium
MetLife®
Good News!
We have numerous payment
plans available to help you
achieve your dental health
goals ... talk to us today
about your options!
We Can Help
In uncertain times
These are difficult times filled with
much uncertainty about the future.
But there are a few certainties that
you can count on. Winters will come
and springtimes will follow, and we
will be here for you. We are willing
to work together with you to ensure
that your good oral health continues
uninterrupted.
As you know, it is also a certainty
that oral health is linked to our overall
health and wellbeing, so regular
recare and follow-up visits are very
important. Let us explore creative ways
to finance your dental care, including
CareCredit®, the “no interest” plan
that works just like a credit card, and
monthly payment options tailored to
your circumstances.
The tonic for difficult times is
confidence, and you can be confident
in our continued commitment to your
good oral health.
On average, during the day,
your mouth swallows 2,000 times,
which helps flush out bacteria. At
night, it swallows only 20 times,
allowing bacteria to build up. That’s
why it’s so important to brush
before sleeping.
We enjoy sharing these facts
with you. And, we appreciate it
when you share our delight and
commitment with your friends,
family, and colleagues.
Your enthusiasm is contagious
and encourages your friends and
family to come and see us. We
know that feeling comfortable with
your dental team makes visits more
enjoyable and relaxing. And, that a
personal recommendation from a
friend is the most credible form of
endorsing our services. So, we are
thankful for the great compliment of
your continuing referrals.
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