Make 2011 the year to improve your oral health

Many folks in St. Petersburg consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Bracy and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

-The team at St. Pete Smiles

Family Resources Holiday Collection

The St. Pete Smiles holiday collection for Family Resources was a huge success. They were thrilled to receive the much needed items. Dr. Bracy and our team hope to make this an annual event, thanks to the generosity of our staff and patients. Happy Holidays!

St. Pete Smiles Holiday Staff Luncheon

Dr. Bracy and our team at St. Pete Smiles had a wonderful holiday luncheon at Malio's Steakhouse in downtown Tampa. Great minds must think alike, because Dr Bracy got the staff e-readers as gifts, and that's the gift they got Dr. Bracy as well! There will be alot of reading going on at St. Pete Smiles this winter.

After our holiday luncheon, we had fun ice skating at the rink set up along the Riverwalk. Ice skating brought back memories for our former figure skater receptionist Susie. First timer assistant Michele was a good sport and tried ice skating. Dr. Bracy and his wife Donna held their own out on the rink.

This holiday season we would like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Spending time with loved ones? Winter activities, such as ice skating? All of the delicious holiday treats?

Please feel free to share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Happy holidays!

Michele is certified with the Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence

St. Pete Smiles dental assistant Michele was recently recognized by the Dental Assisting Board for the milestone of reaching 25 years as a Certified Dental Assistant. This certification is the "Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence", and reflects her commitment to the dental assisting profession and dedication to quality patient care. Her award includes a certificate, anniversary pin, and commemorative gift. Congratulations, Michele!


Be sure to ask Michele for more information about her certification the next time you're in for an appointment. We're all very proud of her achievements.

Dr. Bracy invites patients to join us in supporting Family Resources

St. Pete Smiles is a holiday collection site for Family Resources. We encourage patients to join us in supporting Family Resources, a private not-for-profit organization, this holiday season. The organization's mission is to "strengthen families and build better communities by providing prevention, support and counseling to children, teens and families."

A few donation ideas
• Non-perishable food items
• Sheet sets that are new or gently used
• Fast food gift cards, such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A

Our collection box will be available until Dec. 17 for dropping off donations. Gift cards can also be mailed to the St. Pete Smiles office.

Thank you!

-The team at St. Pete Smiles

Imagining your life with Invisalign® at St. Pete Smiles

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Bracy and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering the St. Pete Smiles Invisalign Special Event.

How exactly does Invisalign work?
Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?
Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

How do I clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit St. Pete Smiles during treatment?
For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Bracy will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Happy Thanksgiving, from St. Pete Smiles

Dr. Bracy and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful to brush and floss after eating! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

What do you love about St. Pete Smiles?

From your very first visit to St. Pete Smiles our doctor and team strive to provide the highest quality of general dental and cosmetic dental care in the St. Petersburg community. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Bracy's work? Did our team go out of their way to answer your questions? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our Google Place page. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,

The team at St. Pete Smiles

St. Pete Smiles hosts Invisalign® Special Event

Dr. Dewey Bracy, your St. Petersburg Invisalign Preferred Provider, will be hosting a special Invisalign Event now through the end of the year. We will be providing complimentary consultations to answer all of your questions about Invisalign, the clear way to straighten teeth.

During this special event, we will also be offering patients $250 off treatment, complimentary whitening with Invisalign treatment, and 24 month no interest financing.

If you have wondered if Invisalign is right for you, don't delay in making an appointment at St. Pete Smiles for this special event. Space is limited to the first 10 appointments.

Invisalign and your oral health, from Dr. Bracy

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with St. Pete Smiles 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.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Bracy the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also visit the Florida Dental Association website for more information on oral health care.

Dr. Bracy, protecting your family from cavities this Halloween

With Halloween quickly approaching, Dr. Bracy and our team knows that there will soon be many tricks and treats! While this festive holiday is full of costumes and fun community activities, it can also be a harmful time for the teeth of young trick-or-treaters in our St. Petersburg, FL neighborhoods.

With all of the sugary, sticky, and chewy treats that are often shared with trick-or-treaters, it is important to protect your teeth from cavities this Halloween. 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.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities this Halloween:

• 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

Dr. Bracy asks: Would you like to receive 10% off your next bill?

St. Pete Smiles, serving St. Petersburg, Largo, and Seminole, FL, would like to provide a special Halloween treat for all of our patients that connect with Dr. Bracy and team online. If you call before Halloween and schedule an appointment (by Nov. 15, 2010) for any restorative treatment on your treatment plan, you will receive 10% off your bill! What a great savings!

Don't forget to mention that you heard about this special on the Blog, or on Facebook, so that you can receive this online exclusive offer. Happy Halloween!

A few helpful webisodes about fluoridation, from Dr. Bracy

Dr. Bracy and his team at St. Pete Smiles would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about fluoridation, located on the Florida Dental Association YouTube channel.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about fluoridation, as well as information about oral health care, access to dental care, and dental education. These include "Fluoridation," "Tips for Terrific Teeth," and "A Trip to the Dentist."

Did you know that the National Centers for Disease Control "recognizes the fluoridation of drinking water to prevent dental decay as one ten great public health achievements of the 21st century?"

We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at St. Pete Smiles, please give us a call at 727-280-5812.

The benefits of dairy, from Dr. Bracy

Dr. Bracy and our team at St. Pete Smiles want to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, maybe it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.




Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give St. Pete Smiles a call.

Ask Dr. Bracy: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work, says Dr. Bracy. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Bracy is a certified Invisalign provider in St. Petersburg, FL. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

Take care of those gums! September is National Gum Care Month

Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be difficult to recognize. Many people do not recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is underway to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we at St. Pete Smiles wanted to do our part to help spread the word!

Early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as the heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for 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

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Expect only the highest quality of dental products and treatment at St. Pete Smiles

Since dental laboratory outsourcing has become so prevalent these days, Dr. Bracy and our team feels that it is essential that our patients know that at St. Pete Smiles we use only superior materials that have been made locally. Our lab-made appliances, such as crowns and partials, do not contain inferior materials or products manufactured in countries where regulations are not mandatory. Our practice will not participate in laboratory cost cutting that can pose health risks to our patients.



If you have any questions about how our office offers the highest quality of general and cosmetic dental care to our patients, just give us a call at 727-280-5812 and ask! There is no potentially risky dentistry at St Pete Smiles!

At St. Pete Smiles, we respect your time

At St. Pete Smiles, we provide the highest quality of general dental and cosmetic dental care in the St. Petersburg community. Unlike other practices that book multiple patients into the same time slots, we choose the approach of individual attention to minimize delays. We respect your time and do our best to not make you wait. Dr. Bracy and our team runs an organized and on-time schedule because we know that your time is important.

If you have any questions about our modern approach to dentistry, state-of-the-art facility, or specific treatments at our office, feel free to give us a call at 727-280-5812. We look forward to hearing from you!

Exclusive Oral B offer at St. Pete Smiles!

Today, Dr. Bracy and our team wanted to share with you a special Oral B offer, which we still find hard to believe. Right now, you can purchase the Oral B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 electric toothbrush at St. Pete Smiles for a discounted price of $120 ($140 at Bed, Bath and Beyond). Then, you are able to send in for a 50% rebate of $60, and an additional rebate of $15. With these rebates, the Oral B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 electric brush will only cost $45!

We believe this offer will be available through September. Feel free to give us a call if you would like to verify our inventory, or if you have any additional questions about this special offer.

Thank you,

-Dr. Bracy and team

Meet Bella, our friendly St. Pete Smiles cat!

Bella the cat has been a fixture at St. Pete Smiles since last winter. Starting out wild and starved, she's now a healthy one-year-old (after a trip to the vet for shots and spay). She greets the office staff every morning looking for attention and breakfast!

Michele and Susie trade off coming by on the weekends to feed her. Even Laura, who cleans the office on the weekend, pitches in. And you can be sure Bella doesn't let us forget to give her a "snack" and a pet before leaving at the end of the day!

-Dr. Bracy and team

Zoom!® Whitening at St. Pete Smiles

A whiter smile is one just one dentist visit away! ZOOM!® professional teeth whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom!® treatment we will send you home with an at-home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom!® Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Find out more about teeth whitening at our web site; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile contact Dr. Bracy for an evaluation!

5 Reasons why you should visit St. Pete Smiles today!

Dr. Bracy and our team at St. Pete Smiles knows that achieving and maintaining a healthy smile is not only an important aspect of your appearance, but it is also very important to the health of your entire body. That being said, summer is also a time when folks are putting off visiting the dentist due to the nice weather, vacations, and other obligations. Today, Dr. Bracy and our team wanted to share with you five reasons why you should schedule an appointment with St. Pete Smiles this summer.

5 Reasons to come see us this summer:

1. The year's half over- don't let the 2010 insurance benefits slip through your fingers

2. Get the kids in for their back to school checkups

3. Avoid the end of the year rush with the holidays

4. Prevention is key- don't let your health fall by the wayside

5. Small problems turn into bigger ones with time

Have a great week everyone!

-Dr. Bracy and team

Getting social with Dr. Bracy and our team!

Isn’t social media great? Dr. Bracy and team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook page. For social media to be effective, conversation is essential, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, we know it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we’re taking a little time to research and decide how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

-The team at St. Pete Smiles

Dr. Bracy and our team are back in the office!

Dr. Bracy and our team at St. Pete Smiles in St. Petersburg, FL, just returned from a week out of the office. We're coming back to the office recharged and refreshed, after a little R&R and time with family.

One of Dr. Bracy's activities while out of the office was to spend a day at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Estate in Sarasota. What a local gem! I highly recommend a visit (less than an hour from here)!

While the office was closed, we had the office treatment rooms refreshed. We removed some wallpaper and added a bright new coat of paint. It turned out great! Be sure to take a look the next time you're in for a visit at St. Pete Smiles!

Have a great week,

-Dr. Bracy and team

Meet Dr. Bracy

I am a detail oriented person by nature, which fits perfectly with the practice of dentistry. Dentistry is never boring to me, since no two procedures or patients' needs are exactly the same. It is personally fulfilling to change people's lives by improving their smile and contributing to their overall health. My patients are like family. They have interesting and diverse personalities and lifestyles, which makes every day a special day when they share a little bit of their lives with us.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of Florida and went on to earn my Doctor of Medical Dentistry from the Florida College of Dentistry. I constantly take continuing education to keep up with cutting-edge techniques and procedures to provide the highest level of care for my patients. I have received advanced certification in Invisalign® and participate in numerous educational dental study groups.

I have lived in Tampa Bay my entire life and live there now with my wife, two sons, and two cats. I enjoy attending my kid's sporting events, collecting wine, attending Florida Gator football, reading, re-learning to play the piano, and improving my snow skiing technique. I attend and contribute to various charity events including the American Cancer Society and Family Resources and I volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank and Faith Café.