“It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy.

This year, we are so thankful for family, friends, loving pets, good health, a warm home, and patients like you who help our business grow every day! We hope this Thanksgiving season finds you happy and healthy as well! Our office holiday hours are the following:

Wednesday, November 24, 7am-2pm

Thursday, November 25, CLOSED

Thursday, December 23- Sunday, January 2, CLOSED

Manna Food Center Food Drive

We are currently collecting cash and food donations for the Manna Food Center of Montgomery County. Each year we make it our mission to provide holiday meals to those in our community that are experiencing hardship. Please join our food drive by bringing non-perishable protein sources, boxed and canned foods, baby food, or monetary donations to your appointment in November. If you do not have an appointment in November, you can drop off anytime during our business hours. We appreciate your support!

End of Year Specials

This is your last chance in 2021 to get a smile that makes you smile! We are offering teeth whitening, implant, and Invisalign specials from now until the end of the year. Use your remaining insurance benefits, HSA/Flex spending benefits, and Care Credit to complete outstanding treatment needs. Have questions? Katherin, our front desk coordinator, is happy to assist you! Call or email the office at info@gaithersburgdentalcare.com.

Mouth Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 person dies every 3 hours from mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, describes one of the areas where head and neck cancers can occur and includes various kinds of tumors affecting the lips, salivary glands, tongue, gums, palate and inside of the cheeks. Cancers further back around the root of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils and the upper part of the throat called pharyngeal cancer. Although there are several different cancers that can occur in these areas the most common is called squamous cell carcinoma which arises from the surface cells of the skin. Throat cancer and cancer affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal air sinuses are also included in head and neck cancers. Mouth and throat cancer can grow and spread very quickly so it is essential that you see a GP or dentist as soon as possible if you think you may have any of the signs and symptoms.

Diagnoses have increase over 49% in the past 10 years and 25% of all cases have no associates significant risk factors. Mouth cancer is twice as common in men than woman and 78% of cases are in individuals over the age of 55. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and HPV are the most common causes of oral cancers. Symptoms include mouth, neck, and throat lumps, pain and swelling, mouth sores that do not clear up within 3 weeks, changes in texture and color of oral tissues, bleeding from the mouth or throat, loose teeth, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, or changes to the voice.

Prevention and early detection are key to successful treatment and recovery. We perform an oral cancer examination with every dental hygiene appointment. It is important that you keep up with your routine dental appointments in order to ensure a healthy and cancer free mouth. It is also very important that you schedule an appointment if you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms. If we diagnosis any suspicious symptom, you will be referred to a specialist for further examination and possible biopsy of the effected area.

TMJ Awareness Month

November is also TMJ Awareness Month. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a common group of related pain conditions involving the TMJ, jaw muscles and associated structures. Possible causes may include arthritis, dislocation, injury, tooth or jaw alignment, stress, and tooth grinding.

Diagnosis is essential before treatment. Most TMDs are self-limiting, so a conservative approach is best including: eating softer foods, avoiding repetitive function (such as gum chewing, biting nails, ice-chip chewing), modifying pain with heat packs, practicing relaxation techniques to minimize jaw tension such as meditation. If necessary, we may recommend exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles, medications (anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs) or a night guard or NTI to decrease clenching or grinding. Very rarely is surgery required.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Chan for a TMJ evaluation and consultation.

Paperwork Updates and Missed Appointment Policy

Each year we ask every patient to update important forms such as health history, HIPAA, and financial policy. Starting January 2022, you will be asked to update these forms in advance of your first appointment of the year. Our forms are now online and you can access them through our website, www.gaithersburgdentalcare.com. In order to ensure your appointment starts on time and we have all the information we need to properly treat you, please do your best to complete forms at least 1 week prior to your appointment date. If you need to update your insurance information for 2022, please provide your insurance information (Group and member ID #, claims mailing address, and policy holder information) when you arrive for your appointment.

We value you as a patient and we hope you value your time with us! We understand that emergencies and sickness are unexpected and unpreventable, so we make every attempt to be understanding when you need to reschedule a missed appointment. We are asking all patients to notify our office via phone or email 48 hours in advance when possible to reschedule an appointment. After a one time courtesy, you will be charged 75.00 per scheduled hour for appointments cancelled less then 48 hours in advance. If you no call/no show to an appointment, you will be required to pay a 75.00 deposit in order to schedule future appointments. The deposit can be used towards your treatment co-pay or can be refunded to you at the end of the appointment.

12 Days of Dental Giving

On the 1st Day of Dental Giving, my dentist gave to me…..stay tuned to find out! Our highly anticipated “12 Days of Dental Giving” is back from December 1, 2021 to December 21, 2021. Each business day, we will release a surprise on our Facebook and Instagram pages. All current and new patients are eligible to win. Make sure you follow us on both platforms prior to December 1st in order to participate in the holiday fun!

Yearly Poinsettia Holiday Gift

Each year, we express our gratitude to our patients by decorating the entire office with 100 poinsettia plants and pass on a bit of joy to those who stop by the office in December. Please pick out your favorite plant and take it home when you leave the office. Poinsettias require very little water, an ice cube every couple days is an easy watering trick, and enjoy sunlight. They can also live year round with proper care and flower bright colors each winter. Some patients have had their poinsettias for years and we enjoy seeing the photos of their growth!

We look forward to seeing you soon and wish you an amazing holiday season!

Gaithersburg Dental Care

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