Happy New Year from all of us at My Dentists!

2010 is almost over—and what a year it was at My Dentists! Today, we thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Charlotte and surrounding communities.

See you all in 2011!

How often should you replace your toothbrush?

First of all, season's greetings from our entire team at My Dentists! Winter is here, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope these tips help! Feel free to call us if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Charlotte, Cotswold, Myers Park, South Park and surrounding areas!

Ask My Dentists: How do I know if I have periodontal disease?

Thanks for the question. Our staff at My Dentists will tell you one of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.

These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

Our friends at the American Academy of Periodontology created a helpful self-assessment test that can help you determine what your risk is at home. Early detection is critical to avoiding serious and costly dental problems.

Of course, the best way to know for sure what the health of your teeth and gums is would be a visit to our Charlotte office.

This holiday season, take the next step toward a healthier, brighter smile; please contact our Charlotte, NC Dental Office at (704) 375-8577 and schedule an appointment. We offer convenient early morning hours, and we are open on Friday!

Staying connected with My Dentists

At My Dentists, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative dental treatments we offer at our Charlotte office, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, however, Drs. Yeager, Pinnavaia and Michalski and staff understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients and readers: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Invisalign and your oral health, from My Dentists

When considering treatment options, patients often ask our team at My Dentists how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign our Charlotte office than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

What it Means to Work with a Preferred Invisalign Provider

Our staff at My Dentists are proud to be a 2010 Invisalign Preferred Provider, as designated by Align Technology, the company that created the Invisalign system of treatment. Being a Preferred Provider means that we have successfully completed the advanced training needed to treat patients with Invisalign aligners. We have continued experience with a wide variety of Invisalign cases, as we regularly treat patients with Invisalign. We also attend ongoing clinical training classes in order to maintain our qualification as a Preferred Provider in Charlotte, Cotswold and surrounding areas in North Carolina.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Drs. Stan Michalski, Richard Yeager or Tom Pinnavaia the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!