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