Produced to improve your dental health and awareness Winter 2014-2015

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REFERRALS. WE APPRECIATE THEM!

Season’s Greetingsto you and your family!

Those of us here at Suite 7 hope that you are able to sit back this holiday season and reflect on all you have to be thankful for and look ahead to 2015 to plan for exciting things to come.

In this edition of “Filling You In”, we bring you up to date on all the happenings with our office and our staff. We provide you with fantastic information about our new Invisalign® orthodontic program here in our office and other great dental news and information. Lastly do not forget the Newsletter puzzle that everyone looks forward to. This year’s is a tribute to our San Francisco Giants and the wonderful year that they had.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a happy and healthy 2015!!

Drs. Czekala, Cannatella,Moonka and staff

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Please remember to pick up your desktop calendar and our annual Holiday cookbook at the office.

OFFICE NEWS!Just Call Her Grams!!

On June 23, our trusted insurance specialist, Donna Trenkwalder, became a first time grandma when Lila Melody Trenkwalder was born. This 6 lb. 9 oz. bundle of joy is the daughter of Donna’s son Stephen and his wife Chelsea. Donna is thoroughly

enjoying spending her Fridays taking care of Lila.

Staff Retirements and MovesEarly this year, our dear hygienist Libby

Campbell retired after over 40 years of caring for our patients. She is loving her role as grandmother to her three grandkids and seeking in some traveling.

In September, our hygienist Elizabeth Perschau and her husband Rick, seized a wonderful opportunity and relocated to North Carolina.

Lastly, our hygienist Lesa Stewart and her family decided to pursue their dreams and have moved to Montana. Lesa is looking forward to a slower pace and enjoying the beauty of the Big Sky state! We will miss all these wonderful ladies and wish them all the best!

New FacesWe would like to welcome two new hygienists to

our team. Paula Hinshaw has been a long time friend of our hygienists Heidi Graham and Katie Rose. When she’s not taking care of our patients’ smiles,

Paula enjoys riding horses, tennis, hiking and Aikido.

Kate Helffrich is not only a stellar hygienist, but is also a certified yoga instructor and a competitive dressage rider (horses).

We are certain that you will love these ladies as much as we do!

Filling You Inwith Dr. Czekala & Associates

A Sore SubjectSmile for the camera!

If you get cold sores, you are among millions who are affected by this pesky affliction that has a way of appearing just when you want to look perfect – at an important school or business event or a special occasion.

While there is no cure, treatments are available to shorten the length of the outbreak. The trick is to treat the cold sore as soon as you experience symptoms – tingling, burning, itching, or tenderness.

Home Tip: Ice it! The virus needs warmth to grow. Keep it cool to speed up healing. Some home remedies can be dangerous – be sure to consult a professional before trying them.

Daily FlossingKeep it on the roster!

If flossing is at the bottom of your daily to-do list, and sometimes not even making the cut, remember it’s a really important part of good oral hygiene care.

Don’t floss? You’re missing about 35% of your tooth surfaces!

Along with brushing twice a day to remove plaque and food from your teeth, tongue, and gums, flossing once a day will decrease the buildup of bacteria between your teeth which causes cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Should you floss before or after you brush? It’s a matter of preference, but flossing first does allow expanded contact for the fluoride in your toothpaste.

Fabulous Inside & Out!Glamor isn’t always about glitter. If you look at men and women in

advertisements, what they’re selling is self-confidence. You can have that. And we can help you get it.

Cosmetic dentistry can pack a lot of powerful positives into your life…

Whitening is popular and for good reason. It can eliminate the stains from medication and indulgences like tea, coffee, and red wine.

White fillings can transform old stained or silver-colored fillings into a beautiful smile.

Veneers can correct the appearance of cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth without surgery or braces.

Crowns can be used to repair severely damaged teeth, and crowns with bridges

or with implants can fill in gaps. Call us – we’re here to make

it happen!

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Raw FactsVeggies are good for you. They’re low in fat and calories and chock full

of healthful fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But there’s another reason to go gaga for greens. Fresh raw vegetables are Mother Nature’s secret weapon against tooth decay and gum disease!

Here are 5 examples of how fibrous vegetables like celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and cucumbers work their all-natural magic.

1. Crunch Cleans – Chewing veggies actually scrubs the surface of your teeth and removes stains.

2. Fibers Floss – Tiny fiber particles clean between your teeth.

3. Munching Massages – Your gums will thank you for the vigorous, but gentle, workout.

4. Saliva Soothes – Increased saliva neutralizes harmful acids in your mouth, decreasing the potential for damage while restoring a healthy pH balance.

5. Minerals Mend – Calcium-phosphates remineralize and fortify your tooth enamel.

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Gum disease is painfully common. It can start in childhood or adolescence, and can be triggered by hormonal changes from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause. Heredity and underlying inflammatory medical conditions such as diabetes can aggravate it. But make no mistake – female or male – we are all susceptible to gum disease.

As the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, it’s a serious problem. Here are some facts you need to know…

l Gum disease is initially caused by a buildup of bacteria around tooth surfaces, leading to an infection called gingivitis, an early form of gum disease which affects gum tissue and can arrive without symptoms.

l Redness, puffiness, a bad odor, and bleeding during brushing (even just a wee bit) are all signs that the infection has progressed.

l If the infection spreads to the teeth’s underlying supportive ligaments and bone, it will cause the gums to shrink away from the teeth. Eventually, if not interrupted, it will lead to tooth loss and may negatively affect your general health.

Because gum disease can be devastating to your smile, your health, and your self-esteem, and because it can do damage silently without you even noticing it, it’s important that you keep your regular exams with us to ensure your oral health is on track. Between visits, your best defence is daily brushing and flossing and a good healthy diet.

Just The Facts, Ma’am Closer than you think

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.

Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. © PATIENT NEWS (800) 667-0268

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office information

Dr. Czekala & AssociatesSteven R. Czekala, DDSLisa Y. Cannatella, DDSPriyanka Moonka, DDS9301 Fircrest Lane, Suite 7San Ramon, CA 94583-3960

Office HoursMon-Thu 7:00 am – 5:00 pmFriday 8:00 am – 5:00 pmSaturday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm ** 2 Saturdays per month

Contact InformationOffice (925) 828-5335Fax (925) 829-6170Email czekaladds@aol.comWeb site www.smilesanramon.com

Office StaffKatie, Heidi, Ann, Paula, Lois, Deena, Kate, Julieta, Nidia ...............HygienistsMichelle, Kelly, Kim, Katherine ... AssistantsDebbie, Ann, Donna, Genie ...Front OfficeKris, Donna ........... Insurance SpecialistsCarol ............................ Office Manager

Straight Teeth = Health The added benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign® is a fantastic way for our adult patients to straighten their teeth. Once we had to refer our patients out to the orthodontist for Invisalign treatment, but now Dr. Cannatella and Dr. Moonka are certified as Invisalign providers! Here are some of the amazing benefits to straighter teeth:

HEALTHIER TEETH AND GUMS – Swollen, red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal and teeth problems.

EASIER CLEANINGS – The chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay and periodontal disease can be reduced with properly positioned teeth.

LESS STRESS – Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and provide better function. Invisalign offers an alternative to aggressive, restorative solutions for orthodontic problems.

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE – Making the decision to straighten your teeth is much easier with Invisalign. With Invisalign, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they’re also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. Invisalign is also ideal for your busy schedule, with fewer doctor visits required (approximately every six weeks).

In August, Dr. Czekala traveled to Montreal to compete in the World Masters Swimming Championships. There were over 10,000 swimmers from all over the globe competing. He just “aged up” into a new age group, so it’s always nice to be the young kid in the group. In his races he finished 5th in the 400 Individual Medley and 9th in the 800 Freestyle. Over Labor Day weekend, he took his annual trip to Honolulu to partake in the Waikiki Rough Water Swim. This 2.4 mile race has been a 45 year tradition and was the inspiration for the first leg of the Ironman Triathlons. Nearly 1000 swimmers competed this year and Dr. Czekala finished 70th. Not too bad for an aging suburban dentist!

With Invisalign, there’s no reason to step back from your professional or social life and every reason to lean in. The nearly invisible aligners allow you to go about your life with confidence, and give you a clear path to a beautiful smile.

Call today to set up a free consultation!