Back to School!

With the summer temperatures arriving late this year many around our office are hoping they will stick around for a while. September is a busy month filled with the excitement of 'back to school' and a palpable charge in the air. This month plays host to the Terry Fox Run (Sept 13) with events across Canada raising money for cancer research, as well as World Heart Day (Sept 27) encouraging healthy workplaces.

September 22 is the first day of autumn and there are still ample activities to help keep you active this time of year. These include nature hikes and cycling on Ontario's beautiful nature trails and an Ontario tradition, apple picking. Remember to share your landscape photos with us as you explore what Ontario has to offer, we may even use them in upcoming issues.

If you are in the Toronto area during the evening of October 3rd plan to explore the contemporary art exhibits of 'nuit blanche'. It is certainly an event worth staying up for.

With many sporting leagues gearing up in the upcoming month remember to speak us about protecting your teeth. A properly fitted mouthguard will add a level of safety that over the counter alternatives may not provide. You can read more about mouthguards in this month's tip.

Enjoy the remaining days of summer,

Dr. Larry Podolsky, Dr. Howard Rosen and staff.

Your Dentist's Top 10 List 1. Dental Check Ups Include Oral Cancer Screenings. Dental check ups include screenings for oral cancer, a serious oral disease of the mouth, lips, or throat, but highly curable if detected and treated early. 2. Gum (Periodontal) Disease Affects Your Overall Health. One of the principal causes of tooth loss, gum disease has also been linked to heart disease. If detected early, it can be treated and reversed. 3. Dental Cleanings and Check Ups are Extremely Important to your Wellbeing. Your dentist needs to prevent problems before they happen: regular check ups and cleanings will help to maintain proper oral hygiene. Click here to see the rest of the list!

Protect Your Winning Smile Mouthguards are flexible dental appliances worn by athletes to protect teeth from possible damage. They are usually made of plastic materials that fit comfortably over your teeth and gums. There are over the counter variations available, but for the highest level of protection we recommend a custom fitted mouthguard that is made specifically for your smile. How can a Mouthguard Protect Your teeth? Mouthguards prevent the lower jaw from impacting into the upper jaw averting major injuries such as concussions, jaw fractures, neck injuries as well as limiting bruising and laceration of the lips and cheeks. Whenever there is a possibility of contact either with other competitors or any immovable objects we highly recommend the use of a mouthguard. Many schools and sports leagues require the wearing of mouthguards during both practice and actual competition. Even if this is not mandatory, mouthguards should be worn during active involvement in sports. Parents in particular should ensure that children, who may not be aware of or fully understand the potential dangers, protect their winning smiles through the use of mouthguards.