The Blog of Jeffrey Ellenberg D.M.D. P.A.

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning?

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:17:06 +0000

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Patient question: “What should I expect during my first visit?”

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:03:18 +0000

Thanks for the question. Your first visit typically includes an x-ray that allows us to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth decay.

The initial visit also involves getting your medical history. When you share your medical history with us, be sure to provide complete, up-to-date information on your health. Please let us know if you have experienced recent hospitalization or surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Also tell us the names, doses, and frequency of any medications you are taking — whether prescription or over-the-counter products — and the name of your physician. Please also let us know about any changes in your health or medications. This information will us select the most safe and effective method of treatment path for you.

Have any more questions about your first visit? Please give us a call!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month!

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:40:08 +0000

Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg knows image is everything. May happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our office. Has your child visited our practice in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!

See you soon!

Doing Our Part to Help the Planet!

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:05:05 +0000

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Last Sunday marked Earth Day, so today we thought we would discuss some of the things we do to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Our office is digitalized, which means we can operate without the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. The information in our office can be sent and processed digitally, which is also more efficient. We take all of the steps possible to be a ‘green’ office, making us better for the planet and more convenient for our patients.

We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or post on our Facebook page!

Understanding cavities

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:24:49 +0000

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Have a great day!

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:23:00 +0000

Spring is in the air! We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

As you probably know, you can always connect with Dr. Ellenberg and our team on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

Thank you! Have a great weekend!

Sealing In Your Child’s Dental Health

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:26:45 +0000

Keeping your child’s teeth in the best possible condition will help them maintain optimum oral health for the rest of their lives. When brushing and flossing isn’t enough, we may suggest placing a dental sealant on your child’s teeth. Children who have dental sealants can decrease their chance of tooth decay by 60%! Sealants are a safe, effective way to ensure your child’s dental health for years to come.

Dental sealants work by providing a protective shield over the tiny grooves and depressions found on the chewing surfaces of teeth. While brushing and flossing is still essential even if your child has a sealant, this coating will help vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.

If we think a sealant would be a good option for your child, a simple office visit is all it takes. One of our friendly dental hygienists or assistants will thoroughly clean your child’s teeth before applying the white or clear liquid-plastic material to the tooth’s surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to ten years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at your child’s regular checkups with Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg.

Dr. Ellenberg has been working with Morton Plant Mease for the past 20 years!

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:13:48 +0000

Clearwater dentist, Dr. Jeffery Ellenberg, has been on staff at Morton Plant Mease in Clearwater for the past 20 years. Every year, they honor each of their physicians on a page of the Tampa Bay Times. Above is a photo of last Sunday’s page from the Tampa Bay Times that includes a list of the participating physicians, including Dr. Ellenberg.

Dr. Ellenberg would love to tell you more about his work with Morton Plant Mease during your next appointment, just ask him!

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts!

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:28 +0000

Our team at Dr. Ellenberg’s office wants to know: Will you be wearing your green this Saturday? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with toasts, parades and “the wearing of the green.” Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day we know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

If you have something special planned for St. Patrick’s Day, let us know by posting a comment on our Facebook page.

Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg is CERTIFIED Invisalign Provider

ellenberg.sesame62@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:15:19 +0000

Our office is excited to announce that Dr. Ellenberg was awarded the status of CERTIFIED Invisalign Provider! Dr. Ellenberg and our team are so happy to be able to offer our patients a treatment option that will give them the beautiful straight teeth they always wanted — without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Ellenberg can determine if Invisalign is right for you. Have a great week everyone!