Your mouth is the gateway to your body. What does that mean?

That means that your mouth is the beginning of good health. It’s through your mouth that you take in food and drink that provides you with the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need to live an active life. It’s through your mouth that you can begin to prevent chronic disease. And it’s through your mouth that the first signs of anything going wrong in your body may appear.

And, since 20 million Americans see their dentist each year but not a primary care physician, it is through your mouth that you may most likely learn about your risks for infection and disease, giving you an opportunity to take preventive action.

Research is continuing to show evidence of the oral-systemic link—the connection between oral health and overall health. Recent findings show that periodontal disease is linked to higher incidences of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. And risk for infection following a surgery can be evaluated by tests that measure the kinds and amounts of bacteria in your mouth.

So, given the evidence, it’s time that your oral health care gets some attention. And at Oral Hygiene Plus+, your oral health care gets our FULL attention!

What is Oral Hygiene Plus+?

Dr. Gabriel Roybal, DDS, leading cosmetic dentist in Santa Fe, is proud to be a participating dentist in Oral Hygiene Plus +, an oral health practice that focuses on advanced oral care services and treatments.

Oral Hygiene Plus+ offers a wide variety of general dentistry services like cleaning, polishing and whitening. But Oral Hygiene Plus+ offers much more. Oral Hygiene Plus+ offers the latest tests, screenings and treatments in dental care, including:

• MyPerioPath (bacterial test)
• MyPerioID PST (test that determines your genetic predisposition for periodontal disease) OraRisk HPV (test for the HPV virus, growing cause of oral cancers)
• Physical extra- and intra-oral screenings
• Laser therapy

These advanced tests and treatments may sound intimidating, but they are non-invasive and completely pain free. MyPerioPath, MyPerioID PST and OraRisk HPV are all salivary DNA tests. All you have to do is swish some saline for about 30 seconds and then spit it out. Results come back about 4-5 business days later. Laser treatments use light frequencies to target particular tissues, so lasers can be used for a number of issues.

Increasingly, these tests and treatments are being required by medical doctors for patients needing surgery. So, Oral Hygiene Plus+ is the place for pre-operative dental physicals.

An Oral Health Education

At Oral Hygiene Plus+, we can perform tests and do the special cleanings, but we know that it’s up to you to do the daily work to improve and maintain your oral and overall health. But we want to make sure you’re equipped with the information and the tools you need. So your visit to Oral Hygiene Plus+ will always be an educational one.

• We will take the time to explain all the tests and results.
• We will coach you on how to better take care of your oral health at home.
• We will recommend treatments or refer you to your primary physician when at-home care isn’t enough.
• And we offer quality products to help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

What you learn at Oral Hygiene Plus+ can jumpstart your progress to a healthier you. And that’s definitely something to smile about!

Experience Advanced Oral Health Care

We’re so excited about Oral Hygiene Plus+, we’re nearly giving away our services. The first 50 patients to make an appointment can get Zoom! laser teeth whitening for only $199!^* New patients can get professional polishing for only $39! And everyone can get a new Sonicare Easy Clean toothbrush for only $39!^*

Our doors open late March, but you can make your appointment now! We hope to see you soon!

^{*Zoom! laser teeth whitening retails for $750. This offer also includes an intra-oral tour, complimentary consultation and a take-home whitening tray ($400 value). Sonicare Easy Clean toothbrush retails for $89.99.}

You may already know that Dr. Roybal:

• Is in the top 3% of cosmetic dentists nationwide (according to annual ADA practice analyses).
• Has placed over 50,000 veneers in his career so far.
• Is one of only four dentists in all of New Mexico to offer oral genetic testing.
• Has been practicing eco-friendly dentistry for over 22 years, long before “eco-friendly” became a buzz phrase in the dental industry.
• Is active on Facebook and Twitter.

How can one man do it all—expert dentistry, staff leadership, account management, marketing—to maintain and grow his successful practice? Is he superman?

No…he just has an amazing team behind him that makes him look that way!

The Visible Partners

The idea of a “dental team” isn’t hard to grasp. When you go to the dentist, you meet some of the support staff right away:

• The office team who helps check you in, explain your bill and insurance benefits and schedules your next appointment
• The Registered Dental hygienists who clean your teeth and Certified Dental Assistants who assist Dr. Roybal during procedures

Dr. Roybal also has an Oral Health Specialist who conducts the oral bacterial and genetic testing to help you identify risk factors to your overall health by examining signs in your mouth.

But there’s a lot of “behind the scenes” work that goes on in every dental practice. And for Dr. Roybal, it is this hidden force that has been the key to his success.

The Hidden Asset

Dr. Roybal is an amazingly skilled dentist. He can do expert work quickly (a relief to his patients), and his extensive knowledge of materials, technologies  and aesthetic skill in the dental industry today allow him to bring innovations like Diamante® veneers to his patients. He is able to focus solely on all things dental because his wife, Teresa Roybal, skillfully manages the non-dental aspects of the practice like marketing, staff training and promotional partnerships.

Teresa came to Santa Fe from Manhattan with an already impressive resume. She built two very successful jewelry firms from the ground up. Her sales acumen and marketing prowess allowed her own company TJR Associates to become a top woman-owned company in the industry in just six years.

She has applied her skills as a marketing manager and business development consultant to Dr. Roybal’s dental practice and others. The newest member of the St. Michael’s Professional Center family—Oral Hygiene Plus+—opens in March.

The success of St. Michael’s Professional Center has also made possible the Northside Dental Clinic—the newly opened Santa Fe clinic that offers low-cost dental care as a way to give back to the community.

“The focus of my work,” says Teresa, “is to keep the doctor’s attention on what is most important—the patient, their needs and their health.”

“Our eyes met across a crowded room. It was like we were magnetized. As soon as he held my hand, I knew: this is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

That’s someone else’s love story. The story of Dr. & Mrs. Roybal is a little more 21^st century, a little more real, a little bit instigated by a pushy, er…persistent friend convinced that a Manhattan refugee should meet her dentist.  It goes a little something like this:

Teresa was your (stereo) typical New Yorker: driven, successful, tired. She’d been in business for herself since she was 25. And finally, the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan lifestyle wore her down. She retreated to the Land of Manaña—Santa Fe—to heal, to recharge. Here she met Suzanne, one of her first New Mexico friends and a patient of Dr. Roybal.

Suzanne thought both her friend and her dentist were “available,” and she was convinced that Gabriel (we’re on a first name basis now and Teresa would make a good couple. So, she urged Teresa to see her dentist—as a patient—to get to know him. A little embarrassed of her smile and (wisely) aware of how awkward a dating situation after someone’s hands have been in her mouth would be, Teresa declined.

Time went on. Gabriel met someone else. Teresa met someone else. But those relationships weren’t meant to be. Feeling low over her recent breakup, Teresa finally gave in to her friend’s persistence, giving Suzanne permission to play the go-between and set up a date.

And that first date was a disaster! They had decided to meet at a Santa Fe art gallery opening…but so did about 450 (more realistically 250) other people. Being perfect strangers, they didn’t know who they were looking for, and after an hour of milling about, Teresa went home. Gabriel called her and asked to meet for just a glass of wine somewhere else so that they could at least meet. Tentatively, Teresa agreed, and they finally met in person at Espiritu.

But that didn’t go much better. During their meeting, Gabriel’s phone was ringing incessantly. His two daughters were calling begging their daddy to please come home now. And of course, Teresa knew he needed to go. She stayed for a while to cry alone over her salad and glass of wine, thinking, “Why do I even try?”

Thanks to Gabriel’s persistence, the story doesn’t end there. He kept calling Teresa…and calling Teresa…and calling Teresa. Over the course of six weeks following the less-than-magical first date, they had some really long phone conversations about everything, and they became friends. One Sunday they finally met again for coffee and talked for hours about relationships—expectations, why their first marriages didn’t work out, etc. Gabriel later admitted that it was that coffee date when he knew he would marry Teresa. At that time, Teresa had other thoughts: nice guy, but not a love connection.

Gabriel and Teresa remained friends and met for coffees and dinners now and then. She resisted his romantic advances, and he stopped trying.  They were JUST friends.

But something happened. Some morning, for some reason, Teresa just began thinking: “He’s the greatest guy! He’s handsome and sweet and considerate. He’s kind, caring, giving, and good. No wonder I passed him by—He’s so unlike the bad boys I usually go for. He’s a GREAT guy. He’s THE right guy!” She had to tell him.  She had to tell him before it was too late and some other lucky woman snatched him up!

But remember, he’d given up hope of a romantic relationship. So when they next met, he thought it was just another friendly “date.” Teresa knew better, but how could she tell him?

Her “come hither” smiles and coy looks weren’t working—Now what?

Out of the blue she grabbed the belt loops of Gabriel’s blue jeans and pulled him close. “Buckle up, cuz you’re in for a ride!” she said…and they kissed.

Fast forward: Gabriel and Teresa were married on August 25, 2001. They’ve now been happily married for over 10 years!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Dr. & Mrs. Roybal!

Getting a smile makeover doesn’t have to take weeks of wearing braces or other invisible alignment devices or repeated visits to your dentist for whitening treatments or temporary, then permanent crowns. Porcelain veneers offer an effective alternative for straighter, more evenly spaced and whiter teeth. And Dr. Roybal certainly has a lot of experience helping people achieve their best smile with porcelain veneers—he’s placed over 50,000 of them in his career so far!

But porcelain veneers, like many other cosmetic dental procedures and products, aren’t cheap. One porcelain veneer costs $1,400! In this economy, that makes smile enhancement—and the self-esteem boost that comes with it—unavailable to a lot of people.

Until now…

Introducing Diamante® Veneers!

Diamante Veneers are a new kind of veneer developed by Santa Fe’s own Dr. Roybal! Using non-porcelain materials Dr. Roybal has created a permanent restoration that’s available for only $499.00!

The new veneers look and feel natural and are crafted from durable materials.^* Diamante® veneers are custom-made for each individual in-house—so Dr. Roybal can fix your smile in one visit!

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Diamante Veneers were developed as the result of a Dr. Roybal’s generous nature and his natural ingenuity. Recently, Dr. Roybal had a patient in desperate need of smile restoration. An accident had left four of her teeth chipped, but she could not afford porcelain veneers, which would have cost her $5,600. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry, there’s nothing else I can do” or putting her on a payment plan, Dr. Roybal made another, more affordable solution to restoring this woman’s smile.

Using his extensive knowledge of cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Roybal was able to create a custom veneer aesthetically comparable to porcelain and fashion custom-fit veneers for his patient in the same visit. Restoring her four teeth took about a 90-minute office visit.

Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted

Diamante Veneers are available to you now! The revolutionary approach makes veneer smile restoration cost effective. And the in-house customization makes Diamante® veneers really convenient. Even in this economy, smile enhancement really is possible! Call or stop by our Santa Fe Dentist office location to schedule your smile consultation.

^{*Compared to the acrylic composite used in Diamante® veneers, porcelain is harder and may never need replacement. Because Diamante® veneers are so new, we can’t yet say just how long they’ll last…but it will be a long time.}

The youngest Baby Boomers turned 47 in 2011, and while Boomer ladies might still be rockin’ the 39-year old physique, their bones know better. Bone loss in one’s 60s isn’t breaking medical news, but most women inching toward 50 don’t know they are the group experiencing the most rapid bone loss.

What’s Going On?

By the age of 30, humans “officially” stop growing, and their bodies slowly begin a reverse trend. Bone loss is minimal between the ages of 30 and 45. But after 45, women especially begin to lose bone at much faster rates. Bone loss is even more rapid after 60.

Bone loss doesn’t happen evenly around the body. Bones in the mouth (i.e. your jaws) deteriorate much faster than other bones. Shrinking jaws and calcium-deficient bones result in tooth loss. It’s devastating to lose your youthful smile. Your self-confidence is damaged and cosmetic dental options may not fit in your budget.

Treatment and Prevention

Losing your teeth in your 40s or early 50s isn’t inevitable. There are treatments available that can help you stop bone loss and even regenerate bone tissue.

Laser Dentistry

Although research shows some conflicting findings, laser dentistry has been found to help regenerate bone tissue in some patients. Lasers use different light frequencies for a number of dental applications including sterilizing gum pockets to treat gum disease and teeth whitening. Different tissues absorb different frequencies and reflect the rest. When set on a low wattage and low pulse, lasers stimulate bone tissue regeneration.

Supplements

Supplementation can also help. Special supplement formulas combine vitamins, minerals and other nutrients proven effective for treating gum disease and promoting bone growth and/or healthy bone density.

Diet and Exercise

But you don’t have to wait until you notice your teeth getting loose to do something about bone loss. Healthy diet and exercise are the best means to prevent bone and tooth loss. You probably already know that calcium is the mineral most commonly associated with strong bones. The best sources of calcium are actually dark leafy greens! Getting at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and veggies that include the makings for a colorful salad are a daily must. Other sources of calcium include milk, cheese and yogurt.

Calcium

Calcium is also a key component in your electrolyte balance. Minerals like calcium, sodium and potassium are needed in balanced ratios to allow electrical signals to travel from nerve to nerve. If your diet doesn’t include enough calcium, it may take it from other places in your body. Your bones are a big calcium warehouse. But exercise requires the muscles to pull on your bones to make movement, and the stress on your bones signals to your body that they need the calcium.

Chew More

To signal to your body that calcium needs to stay in your jawbones, you need to exercise them. The best exercise for your mandibles is chewing! Including foods that require thorough chewing get those muscles working. Foods that require a lot of chewing are often raw fruits and vegetables, so one bone loss prevention strategy leads to another!

If you’re concerned about bone and tooth loss, call Santa Fe dentist Dr. Roybal to schedule a consultation (505.989.8749). Dr. Roybal and his staff can help assess your risk for tooth loss and find effective preventative and treatment strategies to keep your youthful smile belying your Baby Boomer age.

2012 marks the 100^th anniversary of New Mexico’s statehood. New Mexico was the 47^th state to enter the union, and citizens of New Mexico are celebrating in all kinds of ways. In Santa Fe, celebrations began with the black tie Grand Centennial Ball on our state’s birthday, January 6^th, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Commemorations continue with museum exhibits like “47 Stars—An exhibit of the officially unofficial 47-star flag” at the New Mexico History Museum and other exciting events throughout the coming months.

But New Mexico was an established territory of several foreign powers (Spain, Mexico, United States) long before its statehood. And Dr. Roybal’s family heritage dates back to some of the first settlers.

Santa Fe was established before the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth Rock! It’s the oldest capital in North America, serving first as the Spanish Empire’s seat of power north of the Rio Grande.* Dr. Roybal’s ancestors were among some of the first families to emigrate from Spain to settle in the “New World” in the 1600s. Most of them became farmers and miners.

Dr. Roybal’s parents began the legacy of higher education in his family. They were the first in both of their families to go to college—his father became a CPA, and his mother became a teacher. Dr. Roybal continued the legacy, earning his BA in chemistry from UNM and went on to dental school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC).

Since his graduation from dental school, Dr. Roybal has honored his New Mexican roots by giving back to his home community in Santa Fe, around the state and beyond New Mexico. Dr. Roybal has served as a medical officer in the US Army both home and abroad and in the New Mexico National Guard. The success of his private practice in Santa Fe allows him the resources to provide free dental care for over 100 United Way families and low cost dental care for hundreds of others at the Northside Dental Clinic in Santa Fe. He also provides low cost or free dental care for military personnel around New Mexico and recovering drug/alcohol patients seeking help through the Delancey Street Foundation. In the past, Dr. Roybal has flown to remote areas of Mexico to provide dental surgery for the Tara Mara Indian communities as well.

Dr. Roybal is a well-loved son of New Mexico who loves his home! He gives back to his community through his skilled profession. He cares for all the patients he serves in any location regardless of their circumstances. His generosity was rewarded when he and his wife Teresa received the Allen Stamm Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2009. In response to the honor, Dr. Roybal humbly replied, “It’s just the right thing to do.”

In honor of our statehood centennial, we think it’s important to reflect on our roots and get to know those who are committed to making Santa Fe and New Mexico State a great place to live. Who in your community deserves recognition?

What Your Doctor Needs to Know

Your mouth is truly a window into the rest of your body. Health problems often appear as oral health issues first. For example, inflammation of your gums in the early stages of gum disease may indicate inflammation elsewhere in your body. As a result, gum disease may be a reason for your doctor to delay surgery (even out-patient procedures) because inflammation can slow down normal recovery.

Similarly, the levels of bacteria present in your mouth may indicate bacterial overgrowth elsewhere in your body or put you at risk of infection if you undergo any procedure that might allow the bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body.

Oral DNA can indicate your genetic predisposition to gum disease. Gum disease is a risk factor for many other health issues including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Knowing that you have gum disease or are at high risk for gum disease can help your doctor know what health issues may be likely so that she can schedule the right tests, tell you what warning signs to look for and teach you about the best preventative care.

What Your Dentist Needs to Know

Your mouth is often an early warning system for the rest of your body, but what’s going on in the rest of your body can significantly affect your dental treatment. Certain conditions require specific precautions, so make sure you tell your dentist if:

• You are pregnant

  Radiation is dangerous to your developing baby. Even though we use digital X-rays, which emit up to 90% less radiation that traditional X-rays, we want to be extra careful. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy when you may not yet be showing, please tell Dr. Roybal and his staff if you’re expecting.

• You have had heart surgery or have a heart condition

  Dental procedures may cause tiny tears in the tissues of your mouth, and that allows bacteria from your mouth to enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. If you’ve recently had surgery or have a heart condition, your heart may be vulnerable to bacterial infection. For patients with heart conditions that make them more susceptible to infection, you may need antibiotics before your dental procedure or check-up to prevent complications.

• You have diabetes

  People with diabetes have slower healing times and higher risk of infections and other diseases. If you have diabetes, you may need more frequent dental check-ups to prevent or treat early any signs of gum disease, which increases your risk for many other more serious conditions. Dr. Roybal and his staff may also recommend other at-home dental care products or treatments to help ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

• You have osteoporosis/low bone density

  Dr. Roybal and his staff know to educate patients 45 and older about bone loss that can lead to tooth loss, but osteoporosis or calcium deficiency that results in low bone density isn’t always related to age. Other health conditions can cause nutrient deficiencies, and if calcium is low, you’re at higher risk of having gaps in your smile. Dr. Roybal may be able to recommend other therapies that will help you sustain your bone tissue and potentially regenerate new bone.

You can help your dentist and doctor work together as a single healthcare team to provide you with the best care possible. Don’t wait until your dentist asks you about your medical history, and don’t assume that your medical doctor isn’t interested in your cavities. Be proactive in your communication with all your healthcare professionals!

Why do I need to see a Dentist before Surgery?

Before any surgery, a medical doctor will evaluate your health to make sure that it’s safe for you to go under anesthesia and are likely to have a normal recovery. Research is showing that risks of infection—hindrances to recovery—are linked to bacterial levels and infections in the mouth. Your dentist is the expert who can check for oral health issues that may need treatment before you can have your surgery.

What’s a Dental Physical?

During a dental physical, Dr. Roybal and his staff ask about your medical history, basic nutrition and exercise and run a battery of tests that include:

• Digital X-rays

X-rays show us what’s going on below the gum line and help us see areas of decay or thin enamel. We use digital radiography because it reduces patients’ exposure to radiation by up to 90%.

• Periodontal assessment

We measure depth of gum pockets at each tooth and check for abscesses. This assessment helps us identify even early stages of gum disease.

• Intra-oral camera photos

These photos magnify teeth tissues which helps us detect problems early.

• PerioPath

This is a bacteria test that is sent away to a lab. Results will indicate what kinds of bacteria are present in your mouth and in what quantities. People may be classified as low, medium or high risk based on the number of bacteria present. Knowing the type of bacteria can help us identify which antibiotics will be most effective if treatment is required.

• MyPerioID PST

This is a genetic test that is also sent away to a lab. This test indicates a person’s genetic predisposition to gum disease. Research is increasingly pointing to links between gum disease and diseases or disorders like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Results from saliva samples collected for the PerioPath and MyPerioID PST are available in 4-7 days. If you are having a dental physical done at the last minute, there is the possibility that your surgery will be postponed, especially if the tests come back indicating that dental treatment is required. This precaution is a protection for patients that may be at high risk for stroke or cardiovascular disease. With an opportunity to address these serious concerns before surgery, they may be more likely to recover quickly and without complications.

How Can I Get Cleared for Surgery?

If your dental physical indicates signs of gum disease or bacterial presence that need to be taken care of before you can undergo surgery, there are a number of treatments you may need:

• Antibiotics

If your PerioPath indicates high-risk loads, you may need a round of prescription antibiotics to reduce the overall number of pathogens in your mouth and body.

• Laser Periodontal Treatment

If you have gum disease that puts you at high risk for inflammation and infection in parts of your body that interfere with recovery from surgery, you may need some intensive gum care. Laser periodontal treatment requires manual preparation—scaling and planing done with metal instruments to remove plaque buildup causing irritation at the gum line. This can take a few hours and may require local or full anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Once plaque has been removed, Dr. Roybal and his staff may use a laser to sterilize the gum pockets and remove dead tissue to promote speedy gum healing.

Once you’ve undergone the necessary dental treatment, you will be retested to make sure your bacteria levels are normal. Once you’re cleared by Dr. Roybal, your surgeon will tell you if you’re free to proceed with your procedure.

If you need a pre-op dental physical, please call Dr. Roybal’s office at 505-989-8749.

• Walk to work more
• Drink less coffee
• Be nicer to the neighbors
• Tip their waitresses more
• Read more instead of watching movies.

But the most common leaf to be turned over at the start of a new year is the one to eat better, get more exercise and lose weight.

But by the time January 3^rd rolls around, the leftover Christmas cookies are still taunting you from their picked-over platters and there is still at least half a tin of butter/cheese/caramel popcorn left for late-night nibbling. If you’ve made weight loss your New Year’s resolution, are you doomed to fail?

2012 Is the Year of Success!

2012 is the year that you really will succeed with your weight loss and healthy eating resolutions, but you will need a little help…from your dentist!

The dentist seems like an unlikely place to get help with weight loss and eating habits, but think about it: your weight is largely controlled by what by crosses your lips.  Who’s the expert on your mouth? Your dentist! But how can your dentist influence what you eat or don’t eat?  Excellent question…

A Revolutionary New Device

Much of difficulty in changing eating habits comes from the fact that we eat too quickly. We don’t give ourselves time to enjoy our food—its aromas and tastes and how it feels on our tongues. And because we eat so quickly, we don’t give our bodies time to feel full after our first helping. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to send the message to your brain that you’re satisfied. If you’re eating in under 20 minutes, you think you’re still hungry after your first serving, so you go back for more.

You can certainly slow down your own eating by making a conscious effort, but your dentist can help you, too. Dr. Roybal has designed SMILESKINNY, a weight loss appliance that is semi-permanently installed in your mouth. This custom-fit piece is designed to make the inside of your mouth smaller. Because the open area is decreased, eating big bites of food becomes uncomfortable. You then retrain yourself to take smaller bites.

Ironically, people tend to under-chew big bites of food—they swallow early to clear their mouths of an uncomfortable fullness. On the other hand, people tend to chew smaller bites more thoroughly. Because this appliance encourages smaller bites, you chew more, giving yourself time to really experience the taste and texture of your food. That means that the food left on your plate continues to give off tantalizing aromas that tease your olfactory senses, which stimulates saliva production. More saliva means better sense of taste and better chemical breakdown of sugars in the mouth. Plus, you eat more slowly, giving yourself time to feel full while consuming less food.

Is this Forever?

SMILESKINNY can only be installed or removed by Dr. Roybal, so it’s semi-permanent. It takes some getting used to, but once you’ve had SMILESKINNY in for some time, you will have fully retrained yourself to eat smaller bites more slowly. So even after Dr. Roybal removes the hardware, you can sustain your weight loss and maintain your healthier eating patterns.

If you’re really committed to changing how you eat so that you can lose weight, schedule a consultation with Dr. Roybal. We’d love to help you turn over a new leaf permanently!

•   Smiling is a universal expression of happiness—almost all cultures recognize it as a positive signal.
•   It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.

It also seems like common sense that a person who smiles more is assumed to be more pleasant, sincere, attractive and more sociable then a non-smiling person.

But did you know that…

•   Smiling releases endorphins and makes you feel better, even when you fake it? (it’s because the curve of your mouth changes the blood flow to your brain)
•   There are over 18 different types of smiles that are used in a variety of social situations?

What’s Keeping You from Smiling?

A lot of people don’t smile because they are embarrassed of their teeth—they’re crooked or chipped or not quite as white as a movie star’s. Whatever it is that keeps someone from smiling, it’s damaging. If you’re not smiling, your confidence suffers. If you’re not smiling, you’re sending the wrong messages to strangers, potential employers or clients, your family and friends.

Because smiles are so important, cosmetic dentistry may not be just a luxury for some people.

Cosmetic Dentistry Enhancements

Some of the most common cosmetic dental enhancements include:

• Teeth whitening (professional teeth whitening gets significantly better results than home trays or toothpastes)
• Porcelain veneers (these help brighten your smile when teeth whitening alone doesn’t get the results you want and they help close gaps between teeth)
• Teeth alignment (we use REMOVEABLE ORTHO, invisible, removable retainers that gently align teeth over 9-15 months)

These enhancements can make a world of difference to your self image. When you feel comfortable with yourself, when you can smile without embarrassment, you get a big boost of confidence. And that confidence bleeds into other areas of your life.

We’re not saying that cosmetic dentistry can land you a new job or instantly get you a date. But really, having the confidence to flash a bright smile gives the positive signals that people are attracted to.

If you want a brighter, straighter smile and the boost of confidence that comes with it, Dr. Roybal can help. Visit us for a smile consultation.