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Subject: Smiles of Punta will resume business May 11, 2020

We hope this email finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing at Smiles of Punta Gorda has remained the same: our constant commitment to your safety.

As you have surely seen during your visits to our office, infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our strict processes have consistently made the care you receive at Smiles of Punta Gorda both safe and comfortable.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We continue to closely monitor the recommendations of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

When it is time for your next appointment, you may see some changes along with our already strict infection control protocols. For example:

  • Our office will communicate with you ahead of your appointment to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you arrive at the office.
  • Upon arrival at office, we ask that you call or text to let us know you have arrived and what type of vehicle you are in.  Stay in your vehicle and one of our team members will come to bring you in for treatment.
  • When entering the office, we will ask you to use hand sanitizer which we will supply. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed. You are required to bring a mask/face covering to wear while you are in our office.
  • You may see that our reception area will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and other items which cannot be properly disinfected. You are encouraged to bring your own iPad, reading materials, etc.
  • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered slightly limited options for scheduling your appointment.
  • We will do our best to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the office at any one time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 941-787-2223 or visit our website at www.smilesofpuntagorda.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends in the safest way possible.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Martin DMD,
Christopher Ramke DMD,
and your Smiles of Punta Gorda team

Contact Us
WE ARE OPEN | Read our COVID-19 Protocols
Call Today941-585-0424 Request an Appointment
Call Today941-585-0424 Request an Appointment
100 Madrid Blvd, Unit 414, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctors
      • Meet Dr. Jeremy Martin
      • Meet Dr. Christopher Ramke
    • Meet The Team
    • Why Choose Us
    • FAQ
  • Our Services
    • General Dentistry
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Family Dentistry
    • Relieving Dental Anxiety
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Dental Veneers
      • Invisalign
    • Restorative Dentistry
    • Full-Mouth Reconstruction
      • Dental Implants
      • Dentures
    • Oral Surgery
    • TMJ Treatment/Teeth Grinding
  • Patient Testimonials
    • Smile Gallery
  • Patient Resources
    • New Patient Forms
    • Payment Options
    • I’m In Pain Or Have Discomfort
    • I’m Embarrassed To Smile
    • I’m Having A Hard Time Chewing
  • COVID-19 Protocols
  • Virtual Smile Assessment
  • Blog
  • Search
Home > Blog > Break These Bad Dental Habits

Break These Bad Dental Habits

January 25, 2018
Guy Experiencing a pain on his frontal teeth | Smiles of Punta Gorda

Maybe you think you’re doing everything right for your teeth and gums: you brush twice per day using correct technique. You floss daily. You visit us at Smiles of Punta Gorda for a cleaning and exam every six months. You steer clear of candy, soft drinks, and the obvious tooth-decay culprits.

And all that is great.

But if you engage in any of the following behaviors, you may end up sabotaging your best efforts. This year, we urge you to put an end to these destructive dental habits. Your reward will be better oral health and better overall health — for 2018, and for the rest of your life.

Don’t forget to book your next dental checkup with Smiles of Punta Gorda. Call our office in Punta Gorda, FL at 941-585-0424.

Smoking and Tobacco Use

We don’t have to tell you that smoking (and other tobacco products) are really bad news for your entire body. They have absolutely no redeeming qualities, causing cancer, lung disease, and myriad other health problems.

So it shouldn’t be much of a suprise that tobacco is harmful for your dental health specifically.

  • Tobacco turns your teeth yellow, dulls your sense of taste, and makes your breath smell bad.
  • Smokers tend to have high amounts of plaque and tartar on their teeth. They are at an increased risk for gum disease over non-smokers. Also, their periodontal disease is often resistant to treatment.
  • Tobacco users take longer to heal from extractions and other oral surgical procedures.
  • Tobacco use increases your likelihood of developing oral cancer.

Clenching and Grinding Teeth

Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) is harmful on a number of fronts. It may wear down your enamel, damage gums, break teeth, lead to headaches and TMJ pain, and affect your bite, or how your teeth fit together. Teeth grinding often happens at night as you sleep, and it’s not easy to correct on your own. Stress is often a factor, so eliminating sources of stress may help (or at least developing techniques to handle it more effectively).

At Smiles of Punta Gorda, we can help your bruxism with a custom-made mouthguard. The guard, which you wear at night, prevents grinding and keeps your jaw in a position that enables it to relax and heal.

“Grazing” or Continuous Snacking

Before you reach for that bag of pretzels stashed in your desk drawer, perhaps consider the effect that continuous nibbling has on your teeth (not to mention your waistline). When you snack, bacteria multiply in your mouth and unleash acids that begin to destroy your tooth enamel. So if you snack throughout the day, you are basically putting your teeth under constant attack. It doesn’t help that snack foods tend to be high in sugar and other carbs, which are what bacteria crave. Drinking soft drinks also triggers acid attacks on your teeth. Even diet soft drinks are a problem: they don’t contain sugar, but they are high in acid.

If you must snack, choose low-carb tooth-healthy options like raw vegetables, an apple, cheese, or a handful of nuts. And wash it all down with a glass of tap water.

Overzealous Brushing

You love taking care of your teeth and want to make sure you do the best job possible. You have to scrub hard to remove all that nasty plaque, right? Well, no. We love that you are passionate about oral hygiene, but brushing too hard will harm, not help, your pearly whites. The key to keeping your teeth clean and healthy is to be thorough but gentle. Using excessive force will remove your enamel right along with the plaque and even injure your gums. And that makes you vulnerable to pain, sensitivity, cavities, and gum recession. So use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a light hand.

Chewing on Objects

Our teeth are designed to process food to enable us to swallow it. They are not designed to chew on pencils, crunch on ice cubes, or gnaw on fingernails. Nor are they a good substitute for scissors or other tools if you have a bag to open or clothing tag to remove.

Your teeth are strong, but not indestructible. Using them to chew or pull on hard, non-food objects may land you in our office with a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth. Would you rather go look for those scissors or risk a dental emergency?

Banish these habits and practice good oral hygiene for a smile that remains beautiful and healthy for life. And book your next checkup at Smiles of Punta Gorda. Reach out through our online contact form or call our Punta Gorda, FL office at 941-585-0424.

What Our Patients Are Saying

H. M. (Verified Patient) | Jan 14, 2021
5
Very friendly staff! Have finally found the perfect dentist! Far exceeds expectations!

Very friendly staff! Have finally found the perfect dentist! Far exceeds expectations!

T. F. (Verified Patient) | Jan 08, 2021
5
To correct the loss I had of two teeth In the lower part of my...
Read More

To correct the loss I had of two teeth In the lower part of my mouth, Dr. Martin recommended I have a bridge that basically encompassed six teeth including the missing two. Thanks to his outstanding work and the work of his dental technician, the result was basically perfect. I couldn’t be happier about the outcome.

P. H. (Verified Patient) | Jan 07, 2021
5
Pleasant a efficient as always.

Pleasant a efficient as always.

J. C. (Verified Patient) | Dec 16, 2020
5
Great dentist

Great dentist

J. L. (Verified Patient) | Dec 15, 2020
5
Great first visit with Dr. Ramke, Hannah and Damian....very thorough dental review and good cleaning....
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Great first visit with Dr. Ramke, Hannah and Damian....very thorough dental review and good cleaning. Look forward to my next visit (how many say that about a dentist visit?) and a long term relationship.

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Call Today to Make an Appointment 941-585-0424 Request an Appointment
100 Madrid Blvd, Unit 414, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  • Mon: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tue: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wed: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thu: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Fri: By Appt Only
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed
Call Today to make an Appointment 941-585-0424 Request an Appointment

Locations

100 Madrid Blvd, Unit 414, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Office Hours

  • Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday By Appt Only
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

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Call Today to make an Appointment 941-585-0424 Request an Appointment

Locations

100 Madrid Blvd, Unit 414, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Office Hours

  • Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday By Appt Only
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

Latest Blog Articles

Want To Improve Your Smile In 2021?

With the holidays over, most people won’t do much socializing until spring and summer for special events like ...

Read More
Make A Cosmetic Dentistry Plan Now!

To create a more beautiful smile in time for your special events in 2021, you need to start with a plan. When you ...

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