dental hygiene

Get Your Teeth Whiter & Brighter for Valentine’s Day!

dental hygiene, Teeth whitening, Valentine's Day -

teeth whitening

Photo Credit: Flickr

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year: Valentine’s Day! Well, OK, maybe it’s not everyone’s favorite time of year, but for those who are lucky enough to have a special someone to celebrate with, it’s a fun time to celebrate romance.

But whether you’re planning a fancy night out at a popular Center City restaurant or staying in and watching some Valentine’s Day episodes of your favorite TV shows, you want to make sure you’re looking your best. And no matter what special outfit you pick out, no matter how your hair looks, there’s one thing you want to make sure is looking top-notch: your teeth!

Take a look in the mirror. Could your teeth use some whitening? You can surely set up a teeth whitening appointment, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to see one before Valentine’s Day. Follow these suggestions to get your teeth on the right track before Valentine’s Day.

1. Brush and Floss

No-brainer here! Starting now, brush and floss after every meal. Bring a travel brush and toothpaste with you to work, as well as your floss from home (You have floss at home, right?). Doing this after every meal will lift stains. If you can, use a whitening toothpaste and really focus on your front teeth, as they’re the most noticeable.

2. Drink water often!

Water will help wash away bits of food, sugars, and other debris that builds up on your teeth throughout the day. Keep a bottle handy and drink up!

3. Eat a Granny Smith apple

Believe it or not, biting into an apple can actually brighten your teeth by lifting off the film on your teeth. For best results, use your front teeth and really sink your teeth in! Tart apples, like Granny Smith’s are the best for this technique to really work.

4. Chew sugarless gum

Orbit gum is good for this one. Simply chew a few pieces a day to remove bits of food from your teeth. Make sure the gum you buy as the ADA Approved symbol!

5. Plan for next time: Book a teeth whitening appointment!

Our Zoom Whitening sessions are very easy procedures to sit through and they provide lasting results and beautiful smiles. Give us a call to schedule an appointment and you’ll see just how quick and effective the procedure is!

Want more information on teeth whitening? Give us a call at 215-545-4024 or make an appointment online. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dental Checklist For The Prodigal Dental Patient

dental hygiene, dentist, Philadelphia Dentist, Rittenhouse Square Dentist -

In our last blog entry, we talked about three easy resolutions for 2015 that can help you get your mouth back on track. The first resolution was to get proactive about checkups. Let’s delve a little deeper into this resolution.

Overcome the fear

The one thing that stops most people from scheduling an appointment with their dentist is the “fear.” What fear exactly? The fear that they’ll sit down in the dentist’s chair and the dentist will take one look at your mouth and cry out in horror. After months (or years) off from seeing the dentist regularly, you might think your mouth is a lost cause.

But that’s not the case! Like we mentioned before, we here at Smiles at the Square (and most dentists, we’d assume) are non-judgmental when it comes to oral hygiene. Whether we see you once every 6 months or are seeing you for the first time, expect us to be friendly and helpful with your oral health.

So, pick up the phone or email us, then set up an appointment! It’s that easy. Because we anticipate new patients in 2015, we’ve assembled a checklist for the “Prodigal Dental Patient,” if you will. If you haven’t been to see the dentist in years, take heed!

1. Take an inventory

Have there been any past issues with your teeth or gums? Be prepared to let us know about braces, retainers, etc. If you remember your last dentist, see if they can forward your history to the dentist. Then take an inventory of current issues. Are you experiencing toothaches? Bleeding gums when you brush? Bad breath? Keep this at the top of your head when you come to see us.

2. Brush your teeth and floss daily!

After scheduling your checkup, hang up the phone (or get up from your computer chair) and head to the bathroom and brush! Then find some floss (trust us, whether it’s covered in dust or not, there’s floss around) and do your best. Check out your teeth and gums in the mirror. Any issues? Add them to the inventory. Make sure you’re brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day!

3. Use mouthwash daily

Whether or not you have a dentist appointment, this is good advice. Daily mouthwash use helps eliminate bacteria and keeps your mouth healthy.

4. Research teeth whitening

Aside from a checkup and cleaning, teeth whitening may be of interest to you. Zoom! Teeth Whitening is the industry standard is lightyears ahead of the over-the-counter Crest/Colgate strips. It’s an easy procedure and you’ll feel confident about your smile afterward!

5. Don’t sweat it!

Don’t be nervous on the day of the appointment! Eat a light meal beforehand (try to avoid sweets) and just show up!

Follow this checklist and you’ll be well-prepared for your “homecoming” dental checkup!

Ready to schedule your appointment? Give us a call at 215-545-4024 or email us at smilesatthesquare@gmail.com.

3 Easy New Year’s Resolutions for Your Teeth!

dental hygiene, Philadelphia Dentist -

Rittenhouse Square dentist

In the upcoming weeks, millions of Americans – ourselves included – will make promises to ourselves that we’ll do this or do that in 2015. We all call them New Year’s Resolutions and, let’s face it, the resolutions usually involve weight loss, getting in better shape, or generally some improvement to people’s bodies.

Well what about getting your teeth back in shape? Repeat after us: “In 2015, I will take better care of my teeth and gums then I ever have.”

Say it again, just for good measure! OK, so what exactly does “Getting your teeth back in shape” entail?

1. Get proactive about checkups

When was your last checkup? If the answer is more than a year ago, then it’s time to get serious about dental checkups. The problem is that we tend to get this image in our head that since it’s been so long since our last checkup, our teeth are too far gone. “At this point I should just wait for a problem and then go to the dentist.” This line of thinking is almost a surefire way of ensuring that your golden years will involve dentures in a glass of water at bedtime.

Instead, get on the phone and give your dentist a call. Many practices – Smiles At The Square included – are always accepting new patients, and, no, we aren’t going to lecture you or scold you for not getting your annual checkup! We know that life is crazy and sometimes dental health is pushed to the backburner. But let’s make 2015 different! Call up and set that appointment!

2. Look for the “ADA Acceptable” symbol on all oral products

Have a pack of Orbit gum handy? You’ll notice that it carries the ADA Accepted logo on the wrapping. That means it’s been officially accepted by the American Dental Association. This is the symbol you should look for when buying toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash, and really any product that is somehow related to oral hygiene. Believe it or not, there are toothpastes out there that aren’t accepted by the ADA and rely solely on looking exactly like the other brands.

3. Start flossing!

We know, we know – this is the tough one. The hardest part though is just remembering a routine. Here’s a good plan for tricking yourself into making a routine:

– Try placing your floss next to an item that’s involved with a daily routine. For example, put your floss next to the coffee pot. When you start brewing your daily pot of joe, reach for the floss and go to work while you wait for it to brew.

– Don’t go 0-to-100. Try two weeks of flossing once a week. When you’ve got that down, add another day so that you’re flossing twice a week. After two weeks of that, add a third day. A good progression is Week 1-2: Wednesday, Week 3-4: Wednesday, Friday, Week 5-6: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

If you can go an extended period of time flossing three times a week, you’re already ahead of most people out there!

If you’d like to get a head start on Step 1, give us a call at 215-545-4024 and ask to set up an appointment here at Smiles at the Square.

5 Reasons You Need Our Philadelphia Teeth Whitening Service

dental hygiene, dentist, Philadelphia Dentist, Rittenhouse Square Dentist, Teeth whitening - , , , -

Philadelphia teeth whitening

Take a look in the mirror and look at your teeth. How do they look – honestly? Are they “yellowish”? Do you see stains? Are you currently thinking, “What the heck?! I brush my teeth everyday, use mouthwash, floss, and my teeth still aren’t sparkling white!”?

Well, welcome to the club, friend. People all over brush regularly, floss regularly, and use mouthwash regularly and still complain of stained teeth that looks off-white. Know what the problem is? It’s not hard to guess.

Food and drinks.

If there’s one thing we Philadelphians love it’s food and drinks, right? Well, certain foods, red wine, and coffee can really stain our teeth. Coffee especially can do a number on our teeth. But will a regular coffee-drinker ever want to stop drinking coffee? We wouldn’t hold our breath!

To be honest, teeth whitening service is a solution that more and more people are treating as a necessity, not just a luxury service. So here are some reasons you NEED to go with our Philadelphia teeth whitening services.

1. Zoom! Whitening is a proven process

We use Zoom! Whitening for our teeth whitening service and it’s the #1 most patient-requested professional whitening brand. In fact, if you check out other dental practices, they’ll likely use Zoom! Whitening as well. It’s a trusted brand

2. Same-day results.

When you buy whitening strips from Crest or Colgate, you can expect results – in a month. With professional teeth whitening, you’ll see results the minute we finish up. Got a job interview or a wedding coming up? Teeth whitening services the week before will ensure you’re looking your best.

3. No surgery needed.

Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that you don’t need to be afraid of! Zoom! Whitening involves applying a special gel to the teeth and, with a special light, we root out the stains in 15-minute sessions. After 3 or 4 of these sessions, you’ll be set after one appointment.

4. Need to quit smoking? This can help.

Smoking is huge when it comes to discoloration of the teeth. By getting your teeth professionally whitened, you’re giving yourself a paramount reason for not ruining that bright smile. You’re saying, “OK, my teeth have never looked better – and I plan to keep it that way! No more smoking!”

5. Restore your youth.

It’s been proven that a whiter smile is associated with youth. If you’re worried about aging, whether you’re 29 going on 30, or 59 going on 60, teeth whitening will make you feel younger and give off a great impression.

We offer teeth whitening for $299, but head over to the Zoom! Whitening homepage for a $50 coupon off. Call us at 215-545-4024 or email us at smilesatthesquare@gmail.com.

Meet Your Rittenhouse Square Dentist

dental hygiene, dentist, Meet the Team, Philadelphia Dentist, Rittenhouse Square Dentist - , , , , , , , -

Choose Wisely: Choose the Smiles at the Square!

Hello and welcome to our very first blog entry! Our dental practice is Smiles at the Square and we’re thrilled to be serving the Philadelphia area. And we’re even more thrilled to be serving you from our favorite location in the city: Rittenhouse Square.

If you’re not familiar with our practice, let this first entry be your introduction to Smiles at the Square. Our practice is headed by Dr. Nancy R. Harris who graduated from the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and continued in Philadelphia at the Albert Einstein Northern Division with the general practice dental residency program.

Along with Dr. Harris is Dr. Cathy Levin who received her DMD from the University of Pennsylvania and previously had a cosmetic dental practice located in Washington Square. Along with Rachel, our Dental Hygienist, Skye, our dental assistant, and Kathy, our Patient/Treatment Coordinator, we are the Smiles On The Square team!

Which Rittenhouse Square dentist is for me?

There are seemingly a ton of dentists offering cosmetic dentistry in Rittenhouse Square, so it can be a bit overwhelming when you go onto Google and search “Philly Dentist.” Trust us, we’ve tried it! You’ll be treated to a list of names and practices (including ours!) and you might think, “Sheesh, where do I even begin?”

No matter where you begin your search, it’s important to know what a practice values most and what its mission is when it comes to practicing dentistry. If you come across a practice and get a bad vibe or a sense that they’re cold or sterile, chances are they might be.

So rather than you peruse our website and make a gut reaction, we’d like to try and tell you what we’re all about. Dr. Harris and Dr. Levin have both operated their own practices from the mid-80s in different parts of Philadelphia. Dr. Harris was on Broad Street in South Philly and Dr. Levin was in Washington Square. All of us here at Smiles on the Square love helping fellow Philadelphians with their dental needs and that’s what we’re passionate about.

Maybe it’s just that we love getting up in the morning and seeing so much beauty in our surroundings or maybe it’s the friendliness we encounter nearly every day from our patients and people walking around the city, but for us, there’s nothing like Philadelphia.

And, Philadelphian to Philadelphian, we want to provide you with the best dentistry services possible. We’re a down-to-earth staff with out-of-this-world dental technology. We’ll see children and adults and will coordinate around your schedule to make things easy. Need an appointment on your lunch break? No sweat! We’ll work with you.

We hope you’ve gotten to know us a little better! We hope that no matter what dental service you choose, you make the choice that’s right for you. No matter what, we’ll be here in Rittenhouse Square waiting to help you with your dental needs.

Appointment Request

(215) 545-4024
Book An Appointment