Hello!

We hope that you are staying warm during our cold winter days. We’ve enjoyed the snow and we hope that you have too!  

The month of February brings many celebrations locally, dental-related, and around the world. In this newsletter, we will observe:

Chinese New Year- February 1-16th

Black History Month- February 1-28th

Valentine’s Day- February 14th

National Children’s Dental Health Month- February 1-28th

GDC February Smile Special- February 1-28th

Chinese New Year

Xīnnián hǎo! Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration observed in China, with cultural and historic significance. There are several reasons to celebrate Chinese New Year:

First, legend states that the Chinese New Year stemmed from an ancient battle against the Nian, a terrifying beast that attacked people and ate children. The people used fireworks and firecrackers to chase the beast away. This tradition has been continued until the present time and the festival serves as a time to gain good fortune.

Second, it is celebrated to mark the start of the Lunar New Year. The festival signals the beginning of spring, and the start of a new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

Third, this celebration, in its earliest form, was meant for farmers and workers to have a rest from their year-long hard labor, and therefore be ready to resume work afterwards, refreshed and well-rested.

Chinese New Year 2022 will fall on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, starting a year of the Tiger. People born in a year of the Tiger are predicted to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival.

Black History Month

The United States, Canada, and Germany observe February as Black History Month. Other countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, celebrate Black History Month in October.

Black History Month started in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson who proposed marking a time to honor African Americans and raise awareness of black history. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. 

Every year there is also a theme that marks the celebration. 2022’s theme is focused on African American’s health and wellness. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), “the 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing throughout the African Diaspora.”

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. Many Romans were converting to Christianity, but there were strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. It was believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore a law was passed preventing them from marrying. St. Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love.

Eventually, St. Valentine was found out and jailed for his crimes against Claudius. While imprisoned, St. Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor’s blind daughter. it is written that St. Valentine cured the girl’s blindness and that his final act before being executed was to write her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine’. St. Valentine was executed on February 14, in the year 270. It wasn’t until more than 200 years later that February 14 was proclaimed St. Valentine’s Day. 

The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first to link St. Valentine with romantic love. This was the beginning of the tradition of expressing love and admiration, usually in secret. While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in most countries, different cultures have developed their own traditions. In some parts of the world, Valentine’s Day is observed as a day for expressing love between family members and friends, rather than that of romantic couples. Some traditions include leaving cards, treats, and gifts for children and others include acts of appreciation between friends.

National Children’s Dental Health Month

The month of February is very important in our dental community. It is a national health observance that brings together dedicated professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their parents and caregivers, teachers and many others. Each year is dedicated to an important issue of children’s dental health to advocate for and educate. 2022’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense”.

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (the premolars and molars) to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Sealants are clinically proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay up to 80%! It is recommended that all children receive sealants as their permanent molars come in, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. 

Sealants are a quick and pain-free treatment that can be performed during your child’s routine dental cleaning or during a separate appointment. Our hygienist, Jennifer, will be happy to answer questions you may have regarding sealants and the necessity for your child to have them placed. 

February Smile Special

Dreaming of a perfect smile? Cosmetic veneers can provide a permanent solution to stained, chipped, and esthetically unpleasing anterior teeth. During the month of February, you will receive 15% off when you start your treatment case. Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures, however you can use your HSA/FSA spending accounts for payment. Discount does not apply when you use Care Credit and the treatment case must be paid in full prior to completion in order to receive the 15% off. Contact our office via phone or email us at info@gaithersburgdentalcare.com to schedule your initial consultation!

As always, we hope that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe! Please wear a mask, social distance, practice hand hygiene, and get vaccinated and boosted! 

Dr. Gerald Chan and Team

 

 

Happy New Year! We hope your holidays were filled with love, laughter, and good food. We are well rested after our week off and ready to start 2022 with you!

New Year, New You!

If you’re considering a New Year’s resolution this year, there are many that you can choose from that will make your smile healthier. This will contribute to your overall health, too, and will improve your appearance for the upcoming year. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Visit the Dentist Regularly- The most important resolution for 2022 is to see us at least twice a year. If you haven’t been making your regular hygiene appointments, there’s no better time than now to start! Regular appointments help to prevent gum disease, may diagnose oral cancer and disease at a treatable stage, and keep you up to date on changes to your teeth and gums.
2. Floss Every Day- If you take the effort in the coming year, you could reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay in hard-to-reach places between your teeth. Plus, you’ll get fresher breath, too!
3. Brush the Full 2 Minutes- Studies have shown that most Americans actually brush for significantly less than one minute! To make sure you’re brushing long enough, use a timer and practice brushing each quadrant for 30 seconds. If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, consider making the upgrade to an electric toothbrush this year. Electric toothbrushes have built in timers, help clean your teeth significantly better than a manual toothbrush, and it will help you get better about brushing for two minutes at a time.
4. Avoid Acidic Foods- Acidic foods can be highly damaging to your mouth. Soda, juices, and sports drinks are among the worst and should be limited. If you are guilty of consuming these beverages on a daily basis, try to reduce the amount you’re drinking. Always remember to follow up with a drink of water to help rinse the acid from your teeth.
5. Quit Smoking- Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits for your teeth and for your health. It increases your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. It makes it harder to get your teeth replaced with dental implants and may cause painful complications after a tooth extraction.
6. Cut Down on Snacking- Cutting down on snacking will protect both your teeth and your waistline. Snacking between meals gives oral bacteria additional food that they can then turn into acid for attacking your teeth.
7. Consume Less Sugar- It’s one thing to eat sugar, but drinking it is the easiest way to coat your entire mouth in sugar without even realizing it. This means reducing your consumption of soda, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages, and flavored teas and coffees.
8. Invest in a Tongue Scraper- Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can remove some bacteria, but it isn’t the best method. If you really want to ensure your tongue is as clean and bacteria-free as possible, invest in a tongue scraper to enhance your oral health.
9. Stay Hydrated- When your mouth dries out, it means that there isn’t enough saliva to consistently wash away bacteria from your teeth. As a result, it can increase the risk of cavities. To prevent this from occurring, stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water a day. Sip on water all day long to help you meet this goal!
10. Whiten Your Smile- It’s normal to experience some staining or yellowing from your eating and drinking habits. Fortunately, whitening your smile is quick and pain-free with our GLOScience In-office and At-Home treatments.

January Smile Special

You can have the smile you deserve before the end of the year! Most Invisalign treatment cases take between 6 and 12 months to complete. Take advantage of this month’s Smile Special and receive $750 off when you start treatment this month. The initial deposit of $1850 must be paid before January 31, 2022 in order to receive the special price. 

COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster 

The current surge of COVID-19 cases in Maryland and surrounding states makes it more important than ever to get vaccinated and boosted. Maryland provides excellent resources and information on the covidLINK.maryland.gov. Protect yourself and your loved ones by also wearing a mask, social distancing, practicing proper hand hygiene, and isolating and getting tested if you are feeling unwell. We continue to practice our stringent infection control protocols before, during, and after your appointment. If you have any questions, please call or email the office. 

Winter Weather Policy

It’s that time of the year again! With snow likely in the forecast over the next few months, we wanted to remind you of our Winter Weather Policy. Your safety is most important to us. If you feel that it is unsafe to attend your scheduled appointment, please let us know with as much notice as possible. If we make any changes to our regular office hours, we will call scheduled patients and update our phone message, Facebook page, and Instagram page. Please make sure you follow us for up to date information!

 

Have a warm and safe winter season!

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“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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